--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A new conception of life cannot be…" description: "\"A new conception of life cannot be imposed on men; it can only be freely assimilated. And it can only be freely assimilated in two ways: one spiritual ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/leo-tolstoy-55_conception_a-new-conception-of-life-cannot-be-impos_2978471.png" --- # A new conception of life cannot be imposed on men; it can… ![“A new conception of life cannot be imposed on men; it can only be freely assimilated. And it can only be freely assimilated in two ways: one spiritual and internal, the other experimental and external.” quote by Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/leo-tolstoy-55_conception_a-new-conception-of-life-cannot-be-impos_2978471.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/leo-tolstoy-55_conception_a-new-conception-of-life-cannot-be-impos_2978471.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d85/leo-tolstoy-55_conception_a-new-conception-of-life-cannot-be-impos_2978471.png) > “A new conception of life cannot be imposed on men; it can only be freely assimilated. And it can only be freely assimilated in two ways: one spiritual and internal, the other experimental and external.” [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Argues that life philosophies must be adopted voluntarily, through inner spirituality or external experimentation. **In simple terms:** Ideas must be chosen freely, not forced. Key Takeaway Encourage personal exploration of beliefs. Themes philosophy freedom growth Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - religious practice - scientific research - creative arts Key Concepts existentialism personal development experimentation Questions to Reflect On - What spiritual path resonates with you? - How do experiments shape your worldview? A Different Perspective Resistance to imposed doctrines can be strong. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conception/) [Conception Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conception-life-4061602/) [Internals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internals/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Imposed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-imposed-268856/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [New Conception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-conception-4620857/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spiritual Internal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-internal-4620858/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Two ways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-ways/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [In accordance with my conception of life, I have chosen not to bring children into the world. A coin is examined, and only after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-wessel-zapffe/in-accordance-with-my-conception-of-life-i-have-chosen-not-to-bring/) [Peter Wessel Zapffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-wessel-zapffe/) > [This life is not something that is imposed upon us; we receive it and work with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/this-life-is-not-something-that-is-imposed-upon-us-we-receive-it-and/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Regardless of whether one is a writer or a reader, one's task consists first of all in mastering a life that is one's own,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-brodsky/regardless-of-whether-one-is-a-writer-or-a-reader-one-s-task-consists/) [Joseph Brodsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-brodsky/) > [Now we allow that life begins with conception, because we contend that the soul also begins from conception; life taking its commencement at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tertullian/now-we-allow-that-life-begins-with-conception-because-we-contend-that/) [Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tertullian/) > [I used to be pro-choice."..."I was once pro-choice and the thing that changed my mind was, I read my husband's biology books, medical books,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-ireland/i-used-to-be-pro-choice-i-was-once-pro-choice-and-the-thing-that/) [Kathy Ireland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-ireland/) > [In spite the mountains of books written about art, no precise definition of art has been constructed. 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You can inspire the student to voluntarily and enthusiastically choose to do the hard work necessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-demille/there-are-really-only-two-ways-to-teach-you-can-inspire-the-student/) [Oliver DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-demille/) ## More by Leo Tolstoy > [These joys were so trifling as to be as imperceptible as grains of gold among the sand, and in moments of depression she saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/these-joys-were-so-trifling-as-to-be-as-imperceptible-as-grains-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-only-significance-of-life-consists-in-helping-to-establish-the/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“I already love in you your beauty, but I am only beginning to love in you that which is eternal and ever precious –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-already-love-in-you-your-beauty-but-i-am-only-beginning-to-love-in/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Energy rests upon love; and come as it will, there's no forcing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/energy-rests-upon-love-and-come-as-it-will-there-s-no-forcing-it/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“If you only knew what those society women are, and women in general! 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She was standing talking to a lady at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/he-knew-she-was-there-by-the-rapture-and-the-terror-that-seized-on/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Rest, nature, books, music...such is my idea of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/rest-nature-books-music-such-is-my-idea-of-happiness/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“He was not to blame for being born with an irrepressible charachter and a mind some how constrained.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/he-was-not-to-blame-for-being-born-with-an-irrepressible-charachter/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [I ask one thing only: I ask for the right to hope, to suffer as I do. But if even that cannot be, command…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-ask-one-thing-only-i-ask-for-the-right-to-hope-to-suffer-as-i-do/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [The idea shared by many that life is a vale of tears is just as false as the idea shared by the great majority,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-idea-shared-by-many-that-life-is-a-vale-of-tears-is-just-as-false/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [To say that a work of art is good, but incomprehensible to the majority of men, is the same as saying of some kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-say-that-a-work-of-art-is-good-but-incomprehensible-to-the/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [True life is lived when tiny changes occur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/true-life-is-lived-when-tiny-changes-occur/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) [Explore all 1,754 Leo Tolstoy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## More Conception quotes > [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/) [Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [“Take sex, for instance.' 'What do you want me to do with it?' 'Try to be serious for a moment. Take the sex life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mortimer/take-sex-for-instance-what-do-you-want-me-to-do-with-it-try-to-be/) [John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mortimer/) > [Bring the viewer to your side, include him in your thought. He is not a bystander. You have the power to increase his perceptions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothea-lange/bring-the-viewer-to-your-side-include-him-in-your-thought-he-is-not-a/) [Dorothea Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothea-lange/) > [Most conservatives - by which I mean normal people - have little conception of the aggressive and revolutionary force that confronts them. 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