A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Se

by Leo Tolstoy

When an arrow does not hit its target, the marksman blames himself, not another person. A wise man behaves in the same way.

When you appeared in this world, you cried, and all the people around you rejoiced. You have to live your life in such a way that when you leave this world, you will rejoice, and all the people around you will cry.

Try to understand and remember that a person always tries to do what is best for himself. And if he is right when he does the best thing for himself, it is good; but if he is mistaken, it is bad, because suffering will follow after such mistakes. If you remember this, then you will never be upset by anybody, you will never reproach anybody, and you will never be an enemy to anybody.

A wise man sets requirements only for himself; an unwise man makes requirements for others.

The quality of a really virtuous person is to be unknown to people, or to be misunderstood by people, but not to be disappointed by this.

It is a great happiness to have what you desire; but it is an even greater happiness not to want more than you already have.

Be strict in judging yourself and gentle in judging others, and you will have no enemies.

Do not fear the lack of knowledge, fear false knowledge. All evil in this world comes from false knowledge. Knowledge born in argument and discussion is to be doubted.

Some people live and act according to their own thoughts, and some according to the thoughts of others; this is a crucial distinction between people.

Keep silent. Give rest to your tongue more often than to your hands. You will never regret that you have kept silently but you will often regret that you spoke too much.

There are many people who are more unhappy than you. This message cannot be a roof under which you may live, but it will be enough of a roof under which you may hide from storms.

Only in the storm can you see the art of the real sailor; only on the battlefield can you see the bravery of a soldier. The courage of a simple person can be seen in how he copes with the difficult and dangerous situations in life.

The more urgently you want to speak, the more likely it is that you will say something foolish.

Establish your purpose when you are alone and without temptations.

I cannot stop thinking that I was dead before I was born, and at my death I will return to the same state.

If my soldiers started thinking, not a single soldier would remain in my army.