Leo Tolstoy Archive

TOLSTOY RECOMMENDS

ENGLISH

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z



The Buddha


The Dhammapada
Description:	The Dhammapada is a collection of 423 verses attributed to the Buddha, forming one of the most widely read texts of Theravada Buddhism. trans. by Gil Fronsdal	PDF EPUB
Date:	c. 3rd–1st century BCE
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Extent:	137 p.





Confucius


The Analects
Description:	The Analects is a collection of sayings, conversations, and teachings attributed to Confucius and his disciples. trans. by D.C. Lau	PDF EPUB
Date:	c. 5th–3rd century BCE
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Extent:	215 p.





Emerson, Ralph Waldo


The Conduct of Life
Description:	The Conduct of Life is a collection of essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson exploring the principles of living a meaningful and purposeful life.	PDF EPUB
Date:	1860
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Extent:	139 p.



Essays: First Series
Description:	Essays: First Series is a collection of essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson, first published in 1841. It includes some of his most influential writings, including “Self-Reliance,” “Compensation,” “History,” and “The Over-Soul,” exploring individuality, intuition, morality, spiritual experience, and the relationship between the individual and society.	PDF EPUB
Date:	1841
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Extent:	145 p.



Essays: Second Series
Description:	Essays: Second Series is a collection of essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson, first published in 1844. Continuing themes from his earlier work, Emerson examines nature, self-reliance, spirituality, character, politics, and human relationships, emphasizing individual freedom, moral development, intuition, and the search for truth.	PDF EPUB
Date:	1844
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Extent:	109 p.



Nature
Description:	Nature is a foundational essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson, first published in 1836. It explores the spiritual, intellectual, and moral significance of the natural world, arguing that direct experience of nature can awaken intuition, deepen understanding, inspire creativity, and reveal a profound unity between the individual, nature, and the divine.	PDF EPUB
Date:	1836
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Extent:	39 p.



Representative Men
Description:	Representative Men is a collection of essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson, first published in 1850. Emerson examines six influential figures—Plato, Swedenborg, Montaigne, Shakespeare, Napoleon, and Goethe—as embodiments of distinct human qualities, using their lives and ideas to explore genius, character, power, intellect, and individual potential.	PDF EPUB
Date:	1850
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Extent:	111 p.



Society and Solitude
Description:	Emerson examines the relationship between the individual and society, exploring solitude, friendship, work, culture, travel, education, and human character while emphasizing the importance of independence, self-knowledge, and meaningful social relationships.	PDF EPUB
Date:	1870
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Extent:	132 p.





Epictetus


Discourses, Fragments, Handbook
Description:	Discourses, Fragments, Handbook brings together the principal surviving teachings of Epictetus, one of the most influential Stoic philosophers. trans. by Robin Hard	PDF EPUB
Date:	c. 108–125 CE
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Extent:	387 p.





Laozi


Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching)
Description:	Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) is a foundational text of Daoism traditionally attributed to Laozi. Composed of concise verses on the Dao, virtue, simplicity, humility, and harmony, it advocates living in accordance with the natural order and the principle of wu wei—effortless or non-forcing action. trans. by D. C. Lau	PDF EPUB
Date:	c. 4th–3rd century BCE
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Extent:	113 p.





Marcus Aurelius


Meditations
Description:	Written largely as private exercises, it explores self-discipline, duty, mortality, reason, virtue, and acceptance of what cannot be changed, offering practical guidance for maintaining inner calm and living according to nature. trans. by Martin Hammond	PDF EPUB
Date:	c. 170–180 CE
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Extent:	262 p.





Pascal, Blaise


Pensées (Thoughts)
Description:	Pensées (Thoughts) is a collection of fragments and reflections by Blaise Pascal on human nature, reason, faith, morality, and the search for meaning. trans. by Philippe Sellier, William Finlayson Trotter, T. S. Eliot, Blaise Perier, Margival Henri, H. F. Stewart	PDF EPUB
Date:	1659
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Extent:	226 p.





Ruskin, John


The Crown of Wild Olive, Munera Pulveris
Description:	It explores the relationship between art, labor, education, wealth, and social responsibility. It argues that economic life should serve human well-being and moral development, emphasizing the dignity of honest work, the importance of education, and the need to place justice, beauty, and ethical responsibility above the pursuit of material profit.	PDF EPUB
Date:	1866
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Extent:	667 p.



Fors Clavigera, Vol. 1
Description:	A series of letters addressing art, society, education, labor, economics, and morality. It develops a critique of industrial capitalism and materialism while advocating honest work, social responsibility, moral education, and the preservation of art, nature, and cultural heritage.	PDF EPUB
Date:	1871
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Extent:	131 p.



A Joy For Ever
Description:	Explores the value and purpose of art, examining how beauty, artistic quality, and cultural works contribute to human life and society. It considers the relationship between art, commerce, education, and morality, arguing for the preservation and appreciation of great works as a lasting source of human enrichment.	PDF EPUB
Date:	1857
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Extent:	145 p.



Sesame and Lilies
Description:	Examines education, culture, reading, gender roles, and moral character through a series of lectures. It emphasizes the formative power of great literature, the importance of intellectual and moral education, and the responsibilities of individuals in cultivating wisdom, dignity, and a richer cultural life.	PDF EPUB
Date:	1865
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Extent:	99 p.



Unto This Last, and Other Essays on Political Economy
Description:	Critiques conventional political economy and its emphasis on competition, wealth, and individual profit. It argues that economic life should be governed by justice, cooperation, and concern for human welfare, emphasizing the dignity of labor, fair treatment, social responsibility, and the moral purpose of economic activity.	PDF EPUB
Date:	1860
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Extent:	245 p.





Seneca, Lucius Annaeus


Minor Dialogues, Together With the Dialogue on Clemency
Description:	Explores Stoic ideas through philosophical dialogues on anger, tranquility, happiness, leisure, the shortness of life, and clemency. It examines how reason and self-discipline can overcome destructive emotions and guide individuals toward wisdom, virtue, moderation, and a more balanced and humane life. trans. by Aubrey Stewart	PDF EPUB
Date:	c. 41–62 CE.
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Extent:	267 p.



Seneca's Morals of a Happy Life, Benefits, Anger and Clemency
Description:	It argues that a good life depends on wisdom, self-control, moderation, and moral character rather than wealth or external circumstances, while emphasizing kindness, rational judgment, and the humane treatment of others. trans. by Sir Roger L'Estrange	PDF EPUB
Date:
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Extent:	208 p.