Pretty good book on the whole.

I don't know if it's because I became more familiar with his writing style, but I did have the distinct feeling that the first half of the book was much more impactful. In fact, most all of my dog-eared pages and the numerous notes I took were concentrated in the first half.

This book is truly a gem and I would highly recommend it as a great daily read. It has the power to expand your character and make you reflect on the useful teachings it contains, which can ultimately help you in your journey to becoming a better person.

Whether you are looking for inspiration, guidance, or simply a good story, this book has something to offer. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in personal growth and development.

So, go ahead and pick up this book, and let it take you on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

This book delves into the essential truth and wisdom that goes beyond the boundaries of religion.

It is structured as a compilation of quotes and concise commentaries for each day of the year. Tolstoy possessed an extraordinary understanding of human nature and motivation. His evaluation of Christianity is indeed highly interesting. This volume is dedicated to demonstrating the unity of the world's religions through quotes from an astonishingly diverse range of sources.

He didn't have a great affinity for science. This was several decades before a clear and consistent definition of what science is emerged, and perhaps a hundred years before science would begin to focus on ideas that he would likely find fascinating.

I was entertained when I discovered him grumbling about "contemporary artists."

This is a sample that I believe typifies an important theme of the book: "The understanding of one's unity with all of humanity stems from the awareness of the divine origin within us all and bestows all our greatest good. True religion engenders this understanding, while various prejudices - of state, nation, and class - hinder it."

It felt like a privilege to read this book and gain an understanding of the meditations on wisdom by a remarkable individual. I don't concur with predominantly positioning wisdom in religious terms. However, upon reviewing my notes, I anticipate that Tolstoy's ideas and his dedication to humility, the unity of humanity, love, and truth will endure for a long time.

In conclusion, this book is a curiosity, a rather blunt tool. The wisdom that seeps out in his literature is more effectively expressed. I enjoyed it, but it has a limited readership.

If you have a penchant for books that offer daily readings to inspire and stimulate your mind, then this book is sure to appeal to you.

I have not yet "completed" this book. Instead, I read each day's selection individually, and I anticipate continuing this practice for several years.

I have long been an admirer of Leo Tolstoy, and I was thrilled to come across this book in a beautiful, firmly bound hardback edition.

It contains a compilation of Tolstoy's thoughts, along with quotations from a diverse range of authors and religious/spiritual perspectives.

This book is highly recommended for those seeking daily inspiration and a deeper exploration of various ideas and viewpoints.

It offers a wealth of wisdom and food for thought that can enhance your daily life and broaden your understanding of the world around you.

Whether you are a fan of Tolstoy or simply interested in exploring different literary and spiritual traditions, this book is well worth adding to your collection.

So, pick up a copy today and start your journey of daily inspiration and reflection.

You won't be disappointed!

I have to admit that upon initially finishing the book, I never thought I would bestow upon it a 4-star rating. It was only subsequent to going through it once more and closely examining all the quotes that I had extracted from it that I came to the realization that this book has an abundance to offer.

To put it in one sentence: this book is a compendium of wisdom, regardless of its origin. Leo did not shy away from incorporating any source of quotes or thoughts. By doing so, he demonstrated to me that wisdom is unified. It doesn't matter where it stems from; ultimately, the things we concur upon are the same at their essence.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone. Incidentally, it's only one page per day, and it will invariably leave you with some food for thought.

This book has the power to启迪 your mind and expand your perspective. It's a concise yet profound read that can have a lasting impact on your thinking. So, give it a chance and discover the wisdom it holds within its pages.

This is one of those books that checks a lot of boxes for me (because I’m a nerd).

First and foremost, it was written by Tolstoy himself, not someone merely summarizing his wisdom. This gives the book an authenticity and depth that is truly remarkable.

Second, it offers valuable insights into Tolstoy’s unwavering pursuit of goodness. By reading it, readers can gain inspiration and guidance to similarly improve themselves.

The book is a wonderful collection of daily reflections, carefully curated to foster moral and spiritual growth. Each day’s entry presents brief quotes, profound proverbs, or Tolstoy’s own thoughts on essential themes such as kindness, truth, humility, and inner peace.

Drawing from a rich tapestry of religious and philosophical traditions, it provides simple yet profound guidance for leading a virtuous and meaningful life.

I have made a firm plan to read this book every day, at least for the next year, if not longer. I believe that by doing so, I will be able to internalize these teachings and apply them to my own life, thereby becoming a better person.

I lost count how many times I've been inspired throughout this book.

It is truly an eye-opening read that has continuously awakened my mind and spirit.

Each page seems to hold a new gem of wisdom or a thought-provoking idea that has the power to transform my perspective.

The author's words flow seamlessly, captivating my attention from the very beginning and keeping me engaged until the end.

As I delved deeper into the book, I found myself reflecting on my own life and experiences, and drawing valuable lessons from the stories and examples presented.

This book has not only broadened my knowledge but also sparked a newfound passion within me to explore and learn more.

It has become a source of inspiration and motivation, urging me to strive for greater things and to never stop believing in myself.

I am truly grateful to have discovered this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking inspiration and personal growth.

I first discovered this book on Twitter in 2017. I was following an account that tweeted about Tolstoy, and one day this book was mentioned.

The Foreword reveals that Tolstoy had this concept and worked on it for over 15 years. In his own words, he aimed to create a book that would allow people to "communicate daily with the wisest men of the world," such as "Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Lao-Tzu, Buddha, Pascal, The New Testament." Tolstoy scoured far and wide for wisdom to share, and as a result, "alongside Kant and other renowned thinkers, [readers] will find thoughts by Lucy Malory, an unknown journalist from Oregon in the United States." Once he gathered these thoughts, he organized them into various topics:

God, Intellect, Law, Love, Divine Nature of Mankind, Faith, Temptations, Word, Self-Sacrifice, Eternity, Good, Kindness, Unification of People (with God), Prayer, Freedom, Perfection, Work, etc.

I thought it was a brilliant idea, so I asked for it. I'm not sure which Christmas it was, but I received it. This year, I read every entry. I had attempted to do so before but lost momentum in the middle of the year. I dropped the ball a couple of times this year but picked it back up.

I believe it was my dad who got me the e-book and my mom who got me the physical copy. And I read both.

Each day presents a page with a few thoughts or quotes. I would start with the e-book copy and use the four highlighter colors to identify up to four recurring themes for each day.

Some days end with an italicized thought, which the Introduction states was Tolstoy's summary of the day's theme. Then, I would take out the hard copy and write my own "What does all this mean to me?" I might also mark quotes and dog-ear pages I liked. On the inside cover, I tried to group days into my own topics, including my favorites. So, this is probably the most well-worn, marked-up, and beloved book in my personal library.

There is an index in the back with brief bios of each thinker and the days they appear on. There are all kinds of poets, philosophers, and religious thinkers (Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, etc.) listed. The Intro also includes an explanation from Tolstoy about why he doesn't cite sources, as some of these are paraphrases rather than direct quotes. Still, the breadth and depth of Tolstoy's reading are truly admirable, and I would love to emulate it. (For example: The only religious text I've read in any depth is the Bible, and only the NIV translation at that!)

I think the things that stood out to me the most were the analogies or parables. For instance, from February 4:

If you throw some nuts and cookies on a road, you will eventually see children come, pick them up, and start to argue and fight for them. Adults would not fight for such things. And even children would not pick up the nuts' empty shells.

For a wise man, the wealth, the glory, and the rewards of this world are like sweets or empty shells on a road. Let the children pick them up and fight for them. Let them kiss the hands of the rich men, the rulers, and their servants. For the wise one, all these are but empty shells.

Or April 24:

Once upon a time, a Roman empress lost her precious jewelry. It was announced across the empire that whoever found her lost stones before thirty days would receive a big reward, but any who returned the jewelry after thirty days would be executed. Samuel, a Jewish rabbi, found the precious stones, but he returned them after the thirty days had passed. "Have you been abroad?" the Roman empress asked him. "No, I was at home." "Maybe you did not know what was proclaimed?" "No, I knew," said Samuel. "Then why did you not return these things before the expiry of the thirty days? Now you have to be executed." "I wanted to show you that I returned your lost jewelry, not because of fear of your punishment, but because of fear of God."

That may have been one of the points Tolstoy wanted to make, that the story is an effective means of imparting wisdom. The Foreword mentions Tolstoy's companion text that I'd like to read, The Sunday Reading Stories, which consists of 52 stories written in simple language yet philosophically profound.

This is a truly great book! I would love to read more works by the sources listed in the index.

This is a thought for every day that is truly encouraging.

It serves as a source of inspiration and motivation, helping us to face each new day with a positive attitude.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's easy to get caught up in the stress and challenges that come our way.

But having this daily thought reminds us to look for the good, to find the silver lining in every situation.

It gives us the strength to persevere through difficult times and the confidence to pursue our dreams.

Whether it's a simple affirmation or a profound truth, this thought has the power to transform our lives.

So, let's make it a habit to start each day with this encouraging thought and see how it can make a difference in our outlook and our actions.

This is a page-a-day devotional style book penned by Leo Tolstoy. He regarded it as his most significant work. It is a compilation of quotes that he gathered from various authors and wisdom traditions. Additionally, he incorporated his own profound insights.

I relished reading this every morning. It was published around 1910 and, astonishingly, was ahead of its time with its strong emphasis on peace, love, and vegetarianism. However, there were a few rather clumsy statements regarding women. Nevertheless, overall, it is brimming with practical wisdom that can still resonate with readers today.

The book offers a unique perspective on life and morality, presenting a wealth of ideas and teachings that can inspire and guide individuals on their spiritual and personal growth journeys. Despite its age, it continues to hold value and relevance in our modern world.

Some gems in here:

"When you emerged into this world you cried, while everyone else was overjoyed. Try to see to it that, when you leave this world, everyone cries, while you alone smile." This profound quote makes us reflect on the meaning of our lives. We enter the world with cries, but perhaps we should strive to live in a way that when our time comes, we can leave with a sense of fulfillment and a smile, having made a positive impact on those around us.

"The more accustomed we get to doing with less, the less threatening we find deprivation." It reminds us that we don't always need an abundance of material possessions to be happy. By learning to be content with less, we can reduce the fear and stress associated with not having enough.

"Wealth is like manure: it stinks when it is piled up, but when it is scattered about the Earth it fertilises it." This interesting analogy tells us that wealth should not be hoarded but rather used to benefit others and the world. When we share our wealth and resources, we can help to grow and nourish the lives of those around us.

"Look upon your thoughts as if they were your guests, and your desires as if they were your children." This quote encourages us to be mindful of our thoughts and desires. We should welcome our thoughts with an open mind and treat our desires with care and responsibility, just as we would with our children.

I was surprised by the number of quotes related to vegetarianism, anti-war, and opposition to traditional orthodox religion. These are important and thought-provoking topics that deserve our attention. Recommended reading.

These juicy little nuggets of timeless wisdom are truly remarkable.

They have the power to jolt the mind out of the web of entanglements that more theories, more teachings, and more formulas create.

In addition, they also help us break free from the constant barrage of "NEW" that bombards us every single day.

What makes this even more special is that it is presented in a simple and pointed manner, with scriptures to support and validate it.

Reading it each day is not only a source of knowledge but also a joy.

It provides a refreshing perspective and helps us to see things in a new light.

Overall, these nuggets of wisdom are a valuable addition to anyone's daily routine.

I truly had a great time reading this book.

From the very beginning, I was captivated by its content. It turned out to be an outstanding book that delves deep into the realm of wisdom.

The author has managed to present profound ideas and concepts in a way that is both engaging and easy to understand. It's not just a regular read; it's a really special one.

Every page seems to offer a new nugget of wisdom that makes you stop and think. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in expanding their knowledge and gaining valuable insights.

In my opinion, it definitely deserves a rating of 4.2 out of 5.

It's a book that you will want to keep on your shelf and revisit time and again.