| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
An Appeal to Russians |
| Description: |
|
An Appeal to Russians is a passionate address in which Tolstoy urges his fellow countrymen to reject violence, military service, and participation in a corrupt state system. Emphasizing Christian nonresistance and moral responsibility, he calls on individuals to act according to conscience rather than compulsion. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1906 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The Russian Revolution |
|
| Extent: |
|
12 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Appeal to Social Reformers |
| Description: |
|
In Appeal to Social Reformers, Tolstoy addresses those seeking to improve society through political or economic change. He argues that reforms based on force, laws, or institutions cannot solve social problems, because they ignore the moral roots of injustice. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1901 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The Free Age Press (London) |
|
| Extent: |
|
14 |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Appeal to the Clergy |
| Description: |
|
In Appeal to the Clergy, Tolstoy addresses religious leaders, urging them to reconsider their role and teachings. He accuses the Church of distorting Christ’s message by supporting state power, violence, and ritual instead of true morality. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1903 |
|
| Reference: |
|
Appeal to the Clergy |
|
| Extent: |
|
15 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Religion, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Apropos of A. I. Ershóv’s Book, “Recollections from Sevastopol |
| Description: |
|
In “Apropos of A. I. Ershóv’s Book, ‘Recollections from Sevastopol,’” Tolstoy critiques romanticized views of war, drawing on his own experience to expose its brutality and senseless suffering. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1889 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
5 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State, Autobiographical |
|
| |
| |
Articles and Reports on the Famine |
| Description: |
|
Articles and Reports on the Famine is a collection of Tolstoy’s firsthand journalistic writings during the Russian famine of 1891–1892. In these reports, he documents the severe hunger, poverty, and suffering across rural Russia, while exposing the inefficiency and indifference of government relief efforts. Tolstoy emphasizes that the famine is not merely a natural disaster but a symptom of social injustice and moral decay. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1891-93 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 19 |
|
| Extent: |
|
39 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Bethink Yourselves! |
| Description: |
|
Bethink Yourselves! powerful anti-war essay written during the Russo-Japanese War. Tolstoy condemns the war as a tragic result of government power, nationalism, and blind obedience. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1904 |
|
| Reference: |
|
Bethink Yourselves! (1904) |
|
| Extent: |
|
28 |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Carthago Delenda Est |
| Description: |
|
“Carthago Delenda Est” is Tolstoy’s forceful denunciation of militarism and state violence. Using the phrase “Carthage must be destroyed” as a symbol of blind hostility, he criticizes governments that perpetuate war and calls for moral awakening, urging individuals to reject violence and uphold principles of peace and conscience. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1898 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
7 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Christianity and Patriotism |
| Description: |
|
Christianity and Patriotism is a philosophical essay in which Tolstoy condemns patriotism as a false and destructive ideology incompatible with the teachings of Christ. He argues that true Christianity promotes universal love, peace, and brotherhood, while patriotism fosters division, violence, and war between nations. Tolstoy calls on individuals to reject national pride and military service in favor of moral conscience and compassion for all humanity. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1894 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 20 |
|
| Extent: |
|
45 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Philosophy, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Church and State |
| Description: |
|
In Church and State, Tolstoy strongly denounces the union between religious institutions and government power, arguing that the Church has betrayed the teachings of Christ by supporting violence, war, and inequality. He contends that true Christianity is incompatible with any alliance to political authority and must be based solely on love, peace, and individual conscience. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1882 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Religion, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
The Crisis in Russia |
| Description: |
|
|
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1906 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The End of the Age |
|
| Extent: |
|
8 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
The End of the Age
(An Essay on the Approaching Revolution) |
| Description: |
|
|
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1906 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The End of the Age |
|
| Extent: |
|
26 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Extracts (From Unpublished Diaries, Undated Letters, Etc.) |
| Description: |
|
The Demands of Love; Tolstóyism; |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
--- |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
24 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State, Religion, Autobiographical |
|
| |
| |
Famine or No Famine |
| Description: |
|
Famine or No Famine is a brief but forceful essay in which Tolstoy challenges official claims that the widespread hunger in Russia was exaggerated or nonexistent. Drawing on firsthand observation, he exposes the suffering of peasants and condemns the government’s denial and indifference. Tolstoy argues that famine is not merely a natural disaster but a moral and social failure, caused by greed, inequality, and neglect of the poor. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1898 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 22 |
|
| Extent: |
|
13 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
The First Step |
| Description: |
|
The First Step is an essay in which Tolstoy explores the idea that moral progress begins with the rejection of violence against animals, specifically through vegetarianism. He argues that killing animals for food contradicts the principles of love, compassion, and nonviolence taught by Christ. For Tolstoy, abstaining from meat is not only a dietary choice but a moral imperative, representing the "first step" toward a life of righteousness. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1892 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 19 |
|
| Extent: |
|
25 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Religion, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
God or Mammon? |
| Description: |
|
The author denounces greed, social inequality, and the hypocrisy of society, calling for a simple, honest life grounded in love, conscience, and adherence to Christian ideals. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1895 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
6 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
A Great Iniquity |
| Description: |
|
A Great Iniquity is Tolstoy’s condemnation of war, state violence, and social injustice, especially in the context of early 20th-century Russia. He argues that the greatest evil lies in organized violence justified by governments, which corrupts both individuals and society. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1905 |
|
| Reference: |
|
A Great Iniquity |
|
| Extent: |
|
54 |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Help! |
| Description: |
|
Help! is a brief but passionate essay by Tolstoy written during his active humanitarian period. In it, he calls on readers to recognize their moral duty to aid those in need, especially the poor and suffering. Tolstoy criticizes the indifference of the wealthy and institutions, arguing that true help arises not from charity or pity but from genuine compassion and personal sacrifice. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1896 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 22 |
|
| Extent: |
|
4 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
The Holiday of Enlightenment of the 12th of January |
| Description: |
|
The Holiday of Enlightenment of the 12th of January is Tolstoy’s critical reflection on an official Russian celebration meant to honor education and culture. Rather than praising the event, Tolstoy uses it to expose the gap between ceremonial rhetoric and the reality of widespread ignorance and inequality. He argues that true enlightenment is not achieved through state pomp or elite gatherings, but through free, accessible, and moral education for all, especially the poor. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1889 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 17 |
|
| Extent: |
|
4 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
The Inevitable Revolution |
| Description: |
|
The Inevitable Revolution is Tolstoy’s reflection on the coming transformation of society. He argues that true revolution is not political or violent, but moral and spiritual, arising from a growing awareness of the injustice and falsehood of existing systems. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1909 |
|
| Reference: |
|
|
|
| Extent: |
|
19 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
The Law of Violence and the Law of Love |
| Description: |
|
The Law of Violence and the Law of Love is one of Tolstoy’s most important late works, contrasting two opposing principles: violence, which underlies states, armies, and authority, and love, taught by Christ as the true law of life. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1909 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The Law of Violence and the Law of Love |
|
| Extent: |
|
45 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State, Religion, Philosophy |
|
| |
| |
Letter to a Chinese Gentleman |
| Description: |
|
In Letter to a Chinese Gentleman, Tolstoy responds to a question from a Chinese seeker about the essence of true religion and morality. He explains that genuine religion is not bound to rituals or institutions, but is universal and rooted in love, truth, compassion, and nonviolence. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1906 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The Russian Revolution |
|
| Extent: |
|
9 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Letter to a Frenchman |
| Description: |
|
Leo Tolstoy's Letter to Romain Rolland argues that in corrupt "civilized" society, sincere people must prioritize manual labor to avoid exploiting others, while viewing most intellectual/artistic pursuits as often useless or privileged.ue Christian must reject loyalty to any single nation in favor of universal brotherhood and peace. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1889 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 17 |
|
| Extent: |
|
7 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Letter to a Hindu |
| Description: |
|
“Letter to a Hindu” is Tolstoy’s appeal for India’s liberation through nonviolent resistance. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1908 |
|
| Reference: |
|
|
|
| Extent: |
|
12 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Letter to Ernest Howard Crosby (On Non-Resistance) |
| Description: |
|
Letter to Ernest Howard Crosby is Tolstoy’s response to the American reformer and pacifist Ernest Crosby, expanding on his views of nonviolence, moral duty, and Christian ethics. In the letter, Tolstoy denounces war, government coercion, and social hypocrisy, arguing that true progress depends on individuals living by Christ’s commandment of love and nonresistance to evil. He praises Crosby’s dedication to peace while urging him to remain steadfast against public opinion and institutional pressure. The letter stands as a concise and heartfelt expression of Tolstoy’s universal pacifism and his belief in the transformative power of moral example. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1896 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 20 |
|
| Extent: |
|
8 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Letter to the Chief of the IrkIjtsk Disciplinary Battalion |
| Description: |
|
|
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1896 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 22 |
|
| Extent: |
|
2 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Letters on and to the Dukhobors |
| Description: |
|
An open letter from 1895 describing the persecution of the Doukhobors, based on information reported to Tolstoy by D. A. Khilkov. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1895-1900 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
26 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Letters on the Famine |
| Description: |
|
Letters on the Famine is a series of writings by Tolstoy during the devastating Russian famine of 1891–1892. In these letters, he reports on the suffering of peasants, criticizes government inaction, and urges moral and practical responsibility among the wealthy and educated. Tolstoy organized large-scale relief efforts, raising funds and distributing food, but also used his letters to express his conviction that true charity lies in justice and compassion, not pity or bureaucracy. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1892 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 19 |
|
| Extent: |
|
35 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Letters On War |
| Description: |
|
Letters on War is a series of writings in which Tolstoy condemns war as a moral crime and a product of state power and deception. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1900 |
|
| Reference: |
|
Pamphlets |
|
| Extent: |
|
17 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Letters to Various Persons |
| Description: |
|
On the Deception of the Church; Three Phases of Life; The Commune and the World; Concerning the Congress of Peace; Letter to A. V. Vlásov; Letter to a Corporal; Who Is to Blame?; On Suicide; A Message to the American People; Three Letters on Reason, Faith, and Prayer; To the Tsar and His Associates; Three Letters Concerning Shopov; The Tolstóy Society of Manchester, England; Letter to an Orthodox Priest; Letter to a French Pastor; On the Franco-Russian Alliance; On the Street Riots; Expressions on the Kishinév Tragedy; Letters since January, 1902; |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1886-1903 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
76 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State, Religion, Autobiographical |
|
| |
| |
The Meaning of the Russian Revolution |
| Description: |
|
The Meaning of the Russian Revolution is Tolstoy’s interpretation of the 1905 revolutionary events in Russia. He views the revolution not merely as a political upheaval but as a moral and spiritual crisis, revealing the injustice of both autocracy and violent resistance. Tolstoy rejects all forms of violence—state or revolutionary—and urges a transformation through conscience, love, and nonviolence. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1906 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The Russian Revolution |
|
| Extent: |
|
39 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Modern Science |
| Description: |
|
In Modern Science, Tolstoy criticizes contemporary science for being detached from moral purpose and human needs. He argues that scientific progress often serves power, wealth, and abstract curiosity, rather than improving the lives of ordinary people. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1897 |
|
| Reference: |
|
Modern Science |
|
| Extent: |
|
6 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State, Philosophy |
|
| |
| |
My Reply To The Synod's Edict Of Excommunication And To Letters Concerning It |
| Description: |
|
In this reply, Tolstoy responds to his excommunication by the Russian Orthodox Church, firmly rejecting its authority while affirming his commitment to the teachings of Christ. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1901 |
|
| Reference: |
|
My Reply To The Synod's Edict Of Excommunication And To Letters Concerning It |
|
| Extent: |
|
4 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State, Religion |
|
| |
| |
Need It Be So? |
| Description: |
|
An 1900 article in eight chapters on the root cause of the people’s suffering. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1900 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
19 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
The Non-Acting |
| Description: |
|
“The Non-Acting” presents Tolstoy’s idea that true moral action often lies in refraining from participation in evil. He argues that individuals should resist injustice not through force, but by consciously refusing to take part in violence, coercion, or wrongdoing, emphasizing personal responsibility and ethical self-restraint. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1893 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
12 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
The Officers’ Memento |
| Description: |
|
An 1901 article calling on officers to renounce the criminality of military service. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1901 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
6 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
On Insanity |
| Description: |
|
This article represents the fulfillment of Tolstoy’s long-standing idea: to write about the “madness of the world’s structure,” which arose in 1907 and found expression in the articles “A Newspaper Issue” (1909) and “On Madness” (1910). The immediate occasion for this article was a letter from Labkovskaya concerning the question of suicide, to which Tolstoy replied on March 19–25, 1910. The article’s original title was indeed “On Suicide.”
|
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1909 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. |
|
| Extent: |
|
p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
On Labor And Luxury |
| Description: |
|
In On Labor and Luxury, Tolstoy contrasts the honest, necessary labor of the poor with the idle, excessive lifestyle of the wealthy. He argues that luxury is sustained by the exploitation of others and leads to moral corruption and spiritual emptiness. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1887 |
|
| Reference: |
|
What To Do? |
|
| Extent: |
|
8 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
On Religious Toleration |
| Description: |
|
An 1901 article in five chapters, prompted by a speech by Stakhovich at a missionary congress in September 1901 in the city of Oryol. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1902 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
7 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State, Religion |
|
| |
| |
On the Moscow Census |
| Description: |
|
On the Moscow Census is Tolstoy’s reflective account of his participation in the 1882 Moscow census. Assigned to survey one of the city’s poorest districts, he was confronted with shocking poverty, overcrowding, and human suffering. The experience led him to question the effectiveness of statistical studies that fail to address the causes of misery. The essay blends firsthand observation, moral questioning, and social criticism, laying the groundwork for his later works on poverty and moral duty, including What Shall We Do Then?. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1882 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 17 |
|
| Extent: |
|
8 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
On the Relation Between the Sexes |
| Description: |
|
On the Relation Between the Sexes is a moral and philosophical essay in which Tolstoy reflects on the ethical dimensions of sexual relationships and the institution of marriage. Written during his later, ascetic period, the essay condemns sensual indulgence and advocates for chastity, self-control, and spiritual purity. Tolstoy argues that lust corrupts both personal integrity and social harmony, calling for a higher, love-based understanding of human relations. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
188_- 1890 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 18 |
|
| Extent: |
|
41 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Philosophy, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
On the Relation to the State |
| Description: |
|
Letter to Eugen Heinrich Schmitt; Letter to the Liberals; Letter to the Editor of the Daily Chronicle; |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1894-96 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 22 |
|
| Extent: |
|
15 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Philosophy, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
The Only Means |
| Description: |
|
An article from 1901, in nine chapters, written in the form of a message from the Russian working people to the ruling classes. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1901 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
14 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Patriotism and Government |
| Description: |
|
Patriotism and Government is a strong critique of nationalism and state power, in which Tolstoy argues that patriotism is not a virtue but a harmful illusion used to justify war and division. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1900 |
|
| Reference: |
|
Pamphlets |
|
| Extent: |
|
17 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Patriotism or Peace (Letter to Manson) |
| Description: |
|
Patriotism or Peace? Letter to Manson is a short but powerful letter in which Tolstoy expands on his condemnation of patriotism as a cause of war and moral corruption. Written to his English correspondent, Ernest Howard Crosby (sometimes cited as “Manson”), Tolstoy argues that true Christianity is incompatible with national pride or military service. He insists that loyalty to humanity and divine love must replace loyalty to any one nation. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1896 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 20 |
|
| Extent: |
|
7 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Preface to Carpenter’s Article, “Modern Science” |
| Description: |
|
In “Preface to Carpenter’s Article, ‘Modern Science,’” Tolstoy criticizes contemporary science for neglecting moral and spiritual questions. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1898 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
7 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State, Philosophy |
|
| |
| |
The Root of the Evil |
| Description: |
|
The Root of the Evil is Tolstoy’s analysis of the fundamental cause of human suffering and injustice. He argues that the true source of evil lies in people’s willingness to participate in systems based on violence, authority, and false beliefs, especially those upheld by the state and society. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1901 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The Root of the Evil |
|
| Extent: |
|
16 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Shame! |
| Description: |
|
“Shame!” is Tolstoy’s passionate condemnation of social injustice and state violence. He denounces executions, oppression, and the moral indifference of society, calling them a disgrace to humanity and Christianity. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1895 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
5 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
The Slavery of Our Time |
| Description: |
|
The Slavery of Our Time is Tolstoy’s passionate denunciation of modern economic and social inequality. He argues that industrial labor, poverty, and dependence on money have created a new form of slavery—less visible but just as cruel as the old. Tolstoy contends that this slavery persists because society accepts the exploitation of workers as normal. He calls for simplicity, honest labor, and moral awakening, urging people to live according to Christ’s commandment of love rather than greed. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1900 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 24 |
|
| Extent: |
|
46 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Philosophy, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
The Soldiers’ Memento |
| Description: |
|
An 1901 article urging soldiers to refuse military service, written in opposition to the official patriotic and monarchist “Soldier’s Manual” compiled by General M. Dragomirov. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1901 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
4 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Some Social Remedies |
| Description: |
|
In Some Social Remedies, Tolstoy examines proposed solutions to social injustice and inequality, rejecting reforms based on laws, institutions, or political programs. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1900 |
|
| Reference: |
|
Pamphlets |
|
| Extent: |
|
17 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Stop and think! (also A letter on the Peace Conference) |
| Description: |
|
Stop and Think! is a forceful anti-war appeal in which Tolstoy urges people to pause and examine the moral meaning of obedience, patriotism, and violence. Written during a time of war and political unrest, the essay argues that people commit terrible acts because they follow custom and authority without listening to conscience. |
|
 |
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1899 |
|
| Reference: |
|
Stop and think! (also A letter on the Peace Conference) |
|
| Extent: |
|
4 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Superstition of the State |
| Description: |
|
The Superstition of the State is a sharp critique of the belief in the necessity and authority of government. Tolstoy argues that the state is maintained by violence, coercion, and illusion, yet people accept it as natural and inevitable. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1905 |
|
| Reference: |
|
|
|
| Extent: |
|
17 |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Thou Shalt Not Kill |
| Description: |
|
“Thou Shalt Not Kill” is a philosophical treatise in which Leo Tolstoy sharply condemns all violence and killing, including that sanctioned by the state. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1900 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
5 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
To the Dear Youth |
| Description: |
|
To the Dear Youth is a short moral letter in which Tolstoy addresses young people directly, urging them to live with integrity, kindness, and a sense of moral responsibility. He warns against the temptations of vanity, selfish ambition, and materialism, encouraging a life guided by truth, compassion, and service to others. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1886 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 17 |
|
| Extent: |
|
4 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Religion, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
To the Working People |
| Description: |
|
To the Working People is a heartfelt appeal in which Tolstoy addresses the laboring classes directly, urging them to recognize the injustice of exploitation and the false promises of political and economic systems. He argues that true liberation cannot come through violence or revolution, but through moral awakening, self-reliance, and mutual love. Tolstoy encourages workers to reject hatred and revenge, instead embracing the teachings of Christ—especially nonresistance to evil and compassion for all. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1902 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 24 |
|
| Extent: |
|
25 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
To Women |
| Description: |
|
In To Women, Tolstoy addresses women directly, emphasizing their moral influence and responsibility in shaping society. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1887 |
|
| Reference: |
|
What To Do? |
|
| Extent: |
|
5 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Two Wars |
| Description: |
|
An 1898 article condemning the senselessness and horror of the imperialist Spanish–American and Anglo–Boer wars. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1898 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
4 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
What a Christian May Do, and What Not |
| Description: |
|
What a Christian May Do, and What Not is a brief but direct statement of Tolstoy’s moral interpretation of Christianity. He rejects church dogma and focuses on the practical application of Christ’s teachings, especially the Sermon on the Mount. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1887 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 17 |
|
| Extent: |
|
3 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
What Is Art? |
| Description: |
|
What Is Art? is Tolstoy’s influential treatise on aesthetics, in which he rejects the elitism and artificiality of modern art. He argues that true art is sincere, morally uplifting, and accessible to all people, not just the privileged. For Tolstoy, the value of art lies in its ability to communicate genuine human emotion and promote love, unity, and moral progress. He condemns works that serve vanity or sensual pleasure, calling instead for art that inspires goodness and compassion. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1897 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 22 |
|
| Extent: |
|
135 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Art, Philosophy, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
What Is to Be Done? |
| Description: |
|
|
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1906 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The Russian Revolution |
|
| Extent: |
|
7 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
What Shall We Do Then? |
| Description: |
|
What Shall We Do Then? is Tolstoy’s urgent moral and social critique, written after he confronted the extreme poverty in Moscow. Disturbed by the contrast between wealthy elites and starving peasants, he asks how a moral person should live in such a society. Rejecting charity that preserves inequality, Tolstoy calls for personal renunciation of luxury, honest labor, and direct service to those in need. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1886 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 17 |
|
| Extent: |
|
207 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Philosophy, Society & State, Autobiographical |
|
| |
| |
Where Is the Way Out? |
| Description: |
|
An article written in 1900, in six chapters, about the vicious cycle of state violence. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1900 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 23 |
|
| Extent: |
|
9 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Society & State |
|
| |
| |
Why People Become Intoxicated |
| Description: |
|
Why People Become Intoxicated is a moral and philosophical essay in which Tolstoy examines the reasons people turn to alcohol and other intoxicants. He argues that intoxication is not simply a vice or habit, but a deliberate escape from moral awareness and spiritual responsibility. According to Tolstoy, people drink to silence their conscience and avoid confronting the emptiness or contradictions in their lives. He condemns intoxication as a barrier to true human development and social progress, calling for moral clarity, self-restraint, and the rejection of all forms of self-deception. |
|
|
PDF
EPUB |
| Date: |
|
1890 |
|
| Reference: |
|
The complete works of Count Tolstoy. Vol. 19 |
|
| Extent: |
|
14 p. |
|
| Tags: |
|
Non-fiction, Philosophy, Society & State |
|
| |
| |