Leo Tolstoy, one of the greatest Russian writers of all time, created a masterpiece with his novel, Anna Karenina. This literary masterpiece, first published in 1877, is a tale of love, betrayal, and the struggle for personal freedom. Through the thoughts and actions of its complex characters, Tolstoy explores the human condition and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in a society bound by strict norms and expectations.
Anna Karenina is not only famous for its captivating plot and vivid characters but also for its profound and thought-provoking quotes. These quotes, often filled with deep insights into life and human nature, have resonated with readers for generations and continue to be relevant in today’s world. They serve as a reminder of the timeless themes and universal truths explored in Tolstoy’s work.
Here are some notable quotes from Anna Karenina that have stood the test of time:
“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
“If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.”
“Respect was invented to cover the empty place where love should be.”
These quotes offer glimpses into the complex emotions and struggles faced by the characters in Anna Karenina. They encourage readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships, and to explore the deeper meaning behind their actions and choices.
Indeed, Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is not just a work of fiction; it is a philosophical exploration of the human experience. Its timeless quotes continue to inspire and provoke thought, making it a must-read for those seeking both literary pleasure and intellectual stimulation.
Quotes about Love
“All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“Love hinders death. Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“If it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“Love! What a warm glowing beacon it is and how heavy it can weigh when it’s gone.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“He had known that love was like this, that love was the sum of these parts–love was Marian.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Quotes about Marriage and Family
“All happy families resemble one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“How can one’s home be so small and yet so suffocating?”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“And suddenly, the bond of marriage, which had served as the center of gravity in their family, was destroyed.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“Men always want to be a woman’s first love – women like to be a man’s last romance.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“A man cannot live without a family, though it may as well be because he cannot live at ease with it.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“We are not close because we are not pursuing the same things – he is seeking praise, I am seeking love.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Quotes about Society and Class
“Society is divided into two classes: the oppressed and the oppressors.” – Leo Tolstoy
“The whole trouble lies in that people think that there are circumstances when one can deal with human beings without love, but no, one can only deal with nature without love.” – Leo Tolstoy
“Society is like a lawn, where every roughness is smoothed, every bramble eradicated, and where the eye is delighted by the smiling verdure of a velvet surface; he, however, who would study nature in its wildness and variety, must plunge into the forest, must explore the glen, must stem the torrent, and dare the precipice.” – Leo Tolstoy
“The greatness of a society and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals.” – Leo Tolstoy
Quotes about Morality and Ethics
“True morality consists not in following the beaten track, but in finding the true path for ourselves, and fearlessly following it.”
“A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world.”
“What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.”
“The basis of true morality is sympathy and love.”
“There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness, and truth.”
“All, everything that I understand, I only understand because I love.”
“I think… if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts.”
“If everyone fought for their own convictions there would be no war.”
Quotes about War and Peace
1. “War is a cruel and futile act, bringing nothing but destruction and sorrow to the lives of those involved.” – Leo Tolstoy
2. “Peace is the ultimate goal, for it brings harmony and prosperity to individuals and societies alike.” – Leo Tolstoy
3. “War may seem justifiable and necessary in the pursuit of political aims, but it only perpetuates a cycle of violence and suffering.” – Leo Tolstoy
4. “Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice and understanding between nations.” – Leo Tolstoy
5. “In times of war, the true heroes are not the generals and soldiers, but the peacemakers and those who strive for reconciliation.” – Leo Tolstoy
6. “War destroys not only lives and infrastructure, but also the very fabric of humanity and compassion.” – Leo Tolstoy
7. “Peace requires courage and wisdom, as it demands empathy and compromise from all parties involved.” – Leo Tolstoy
8. “War may temporarily solve conflicts, but it leaves behind scars that take generations to heal.” – Leo Tolstoy
9. “Peace is not an easy path to follow, but it is the only way towards a brighter future for humanity.” – Leo Tolstoy
10. “War brings chaos and destruction, while peace brings order and the opportunity for growth and progress.” – Leo Tolstoy
Quotes about Religion and Faith
“I think.. if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“All the diversity, all the charm and beauty of life are made up of light and shade.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“There is something in me such as cannot persuade itself that anyone could teach me.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“I mean to say that one may feel affection for someone else even after one has come to realize that all their qualities are contemptible.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“You don’t make a man righteous by concealing sin; on the contrary, you make him more subject to shame and disgrace.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“He stepped down, trying not to look long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“Nothing is over for me.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“It’s essential to distinguish precise meanings of words.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“We were taught that God made the world, for His glory: that man was made in God’s image and likeness; that this image is in his soul, that it is eternal, and that Jesus Christ redeemed him.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Quotes about Life and Death
“We are asleep until we fall in Love!”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“All, everything that I understand, I only understand because I love.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“The greatest joy a man can know is to conquer his own soul.”
– Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Quotes about Happiness and Suffering
Leo Tolstoy, the author of Anna Karenina, explores the concepts of happiness and suffering throughout the novel. Here are some quotes that shed light on these themes:
|
“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” |
|
“Happiness consists in living for others.” |
|
“The only happy people I know are those who are working well at something they consider important.” |
|
“Happiness does not depend on outward things, but on the way we see them.” |
|
“I think… if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts.” |
|
“All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.” |
|
“The greatest happiness is to know the source of unhappiness.” |
|
“Suffering is the sole origin of consciousness.” |
|
“The strongest of all warriors are these two – Time and Patience.” |
|
“Happiness does not lie in happiness, but in the achievement of it.” |
These quotes from Anna Karenina touch upon the complexities of happiness and the inevitable presence of suffering in life. Tolstoy’s exploration of these themes offers insights into the human experience and encourages readers to reflect on their own pursuit of happiness and their response to adversity.