--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But it was not only by this feeling, as…" description: "\"“But it was not only by this feeling, as Varvara thought, that he was guided. Mingling with his pride, with his need always to be first, was another mo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/173/leo-tolstoy-55_religious-urge_but-it-was-not-only-by-this-feeling-as-v_736907.png" --- # But it was not only by this feeling, as Varvara thought… ![“But it was not only by this feeling, as Varvara thought, that he was guided. Mingling with his pride, with his need always to be first, was another motive, at which Varvara did not guess - a truly religious urge. His disillusionment in Mary (his betrothed), whom he had imagined such a saint, his…” quote by Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/173/leo-tolstoy-55_religious-urge_but-it-was-not-only-by-this-feeling-as-v_736907.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/173/leo-tolstoy-55_religious-urge_but-it-was-not-only-by-this-feeling-as-v_736907.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/173/leo-tolstoy-55_religious-urge_but-it-was-not-only-by-this-feeling-as-v_736907.png) > ““But it was not only by this feeling, as Varvara thought, that he was guided. Mingling with his pride, with his need always to be first, was another motive, at which Varvara did not guess - a truly religious urge. His disillusionment in Mary (his betrothed), whom he had imagined such a saint, his feeling of outrage was so cruel that he sank into despair; and despair led him - whither? To God, to the faith of his childhood, which had never lost its hold upon him.”” [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. Pride and a hidden religious drive clash, leading to despair that pushes the protagonist back to his childhood faith. **In simple terms:** Pride and hidden faith cause turmoil, ending in a return to early belief. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden motives and seek balance. Themes pride faith despair spirituality Mood melancholic introspective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - marriage - personal crisis - spiritual awakening - inner turmoil Key Concepts existential crisis inner conflict Questions to Reflect On - What unspoken drives shape your decisions? - Can confronting pride heal inner conflict? A Different Perspective Faith may not resolve all issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [The religious urge in man is not a mere passing phase in the history of his spiritual development, but the ultimate source of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-asad/the-religious-urge-in-man-is-not-a-mere-passing-phase-in-the-history/) [Muhammad Asad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-asad/) ## 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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