Art begins when a man, with a purpose of communicating to other people a feeling he once experienced, calls it up again within himself and expresses it by certain external signs.
Leo TolstoyRead
The Brahmins say that in their books there are many predictions of times in which it will rain. But press those books as strongly as you can, you can not get out of them a drop of water. So you can not get out of all the books that contain the best precepts the smallest good deed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Knowledge alone is insufficient without action; good deeds must follow good teachings.
In this quote, Tolstoy emphasizes the importance of translating knowledge and teachings into action. He criticizes the idea that merely possessing wisdom or knowledge can lead to meaningful outcomes without the application of that knowledge in the form of good deeds. The metaphor of books containing predictions of rain, yet yielding no water, illustrates how empty knowledge can be if not accompanied by practical application in life.
Themes
KnowledgeActionDeedsWisdomTeaching
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about the importance of applying what we learn.
More from Leo Tolstoy
All quotes →Pierre looked into the sky, into the depths of the retreating, twinkling stars. "And all this is mine, and all this is in me, and all this is me!" thought Pierre. "And all this they've caught and put in a shed and boarded it up!
Leo TolstoyRead
People try to do all sorts of clever and difficult things to improve life instead of doing the simplest, easiest thing-refusing to participate in activities that make life bad.
Leo TolstoyRead
It's too easy to criticize a man when he's out of favour, and to make him shoulder the blame for everybody else's mistakes.
Leo TolstoyRead
Music is the shorthand of emotion. Emotions, which let themselves be described in words with such difficulty, are directly conveyed to man in music, and in that is its power and significance.
Leo TolstoyRead
A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor — such is my idea of happiness.
Leo TolstoyRead
Similar quotes
We take better care of our smartphones than we do of ourselves - the phones are always recharged!
Arianna HuffingtonRead
You have attributed conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Abhor flatterers as you would deceivers; for both, if trusted, injure those who trust them. If you admit as friends men who seek your favor for the lowest ends, your life will be lacking in friends who will risk your displeasure for the highest good.
IsocratesRead
In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.
Bertrand RussellRead
The value of actions lies in their timing.
LaoziRead
Self-worth is an understanding on the intellectual level, trusting at the heart level, and accepting at the soul level that you are worthy just because you believe that you are. Your worthiness is proven by your existence. Your breathing. The beating of your heart. Your mere presence is all that is needed to establish your worth.
Iyanla VanzantRead