A great collection of wise thoughts

and quotations by

great writers

from all over the world. This compilation is truly a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration. It brings together the profound insights and brilliant words of literary giants from different cultures and time periods.

As you explore this collection, you will encounter a diverse range of ideas that can offer guidance, motivation, and a new perspective on life. The wise thoughts and quotations have the power to touch your heart, make you think deeply, and perhaps even change the way you view the world.

Whether you are seeking wisdom in times of confusion, looking for inspiration to pursue your dreams, or simply want to expand your intellectual horizons, this collection has something for everyone. It is a source of无尽的 inspiration and a reminder of the power of words to shape our thoughts and actions.

In the later years of his life, Tolstoy dedicated himself to painstakingly working and reworking this remarkable collection of quotations and his own profound life advice.

The collection was精心designed to be read one day at a time throughout a calendar year. Tolstoy held this work in the highest regard, considering it his greatest achievement.

The quotes within the collection draw from a diverse range of sources, including the Bible, the Talmud, Buddhist wisdom, as well as the words of politicians, philosophers, and artists.

The life advice, on the other hand, is purely Tolstoyan, encompassing his anti-war stance, pro-vegetarian views, opposition to the elite, and emphasis on spirituality, among other things.

Each day follows a specific theme, and the part that Tolstoy deemed the most crucial is italicized for emphasis.

In the original version, there was a charming short story that accompanied the entries for each week of the year. Sadly, those stories were not included in this reprinted version.

While I may not wholeheartedly agree with all of his exhortations, I have found this collection to be a rather enjoyable way to start my mornings, spending a few minutes reflecting on the wisdom it contains.

Hilariously, in his preface to the book, Tolstoy makes a rather unexpected note. He instructs future translators to refrain from going back to the original sources he quotes and translating directly from them. Instead, they should simply translate his sometimes rather loose interpretations of the source text.

This adds an interesting layer to the work and showcases Tolstoy's unique approach to compilation and dissemination of knowledge.

Overall, despite its flaws and idiosyncrasies, this collection offers valuable insights and food for thought, making it a worthy addition to any bookshelf.

Who would have known that Tolstoy was so deeply religious?

This book contains six quotes from religious texts or other sources for each day. However, there are very few truly enlightening moments here.

Take, for example, a typical entry from August 19: "Happiness is a thing which a person wishes only for himself; goodness is a thing which a person wishes for himself and for others. Happiness can be achieved by struggle; goodness, on the contrary, by being humble."

This passage seems to suggest that while happiness is a more self-centered pursuit, goodness encompasses a broader concern for others.

The idea that happiness is attained through struggle implies that it requires effort and determination.

On the other hand, the claim that goodness is achieved through humility suggests that one must放下自我 and be open to the needs and well-being of others.

Overall, this book offers some interesting insights into Tolstoy's religious beliefs and his views on happiness and goodness.

However, it may not be the most engaging or thought-provoking read for everyone.

One of my top daily reads from this year is truly remarkable.

Tolstoy has curated an extensive collection of 4 - 7 quotes for every single day of the year. What's more, he has thoughtfully grouped them for each day, providing a unique and diverse perspective.

The variety within this collection is simply outstanding. It offers a rich tapestry of thoughts and ideas that are not only really enjoyable to read but also incredibly easy to understand.

I found myself completely immersed in these quotes, and they have had a profound impact on my daily life.

Without a doubt, I will definitely go through this one again. It has become a valuable source of inspiration and wisdom for me, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a daily dose of enlightenment.

Not everyone is suitable to read this book, and not every moment is suitable for reading. :)

1. All things are one, and every thing has a soul. The soul "experiences" and "cultivates" through the fragile body in this life.

Understanding oneself includes realizing that life does not lie in the body, but in the soul. Only your body suffers, but your soul does not know suffering.

2. Conscious humans seeking the truth must rely on their own thinking and never wait for the truth from others.

Don't believe anything just based on someone else's words. Think and analyze everything, and then accept only what your wisdom approves... The truth will only come to you if you use your own wisdom.

3. The "formal" religion created by humans is just a higher form of the state. The highest religion is based on faith in God.

True religion is not believing in a supernatural event or following rules and rituals. True religion is the attitude a person has towards others and the infinite world - an attitude based on wisdom and current knowledge.

30/11/2021

I hope that when I come back next time, I will be able to answer the following questions:

1. Is science being controlled by something else to the extent that it distorts the truth?

2. Does religion really have no self-interest?

3. Is personal spiritual development focusing on oneself better than helping many others develop, even if it slows down personal development?

4. If humans did not invent all the so-called modern jobs like computers, technology, finance, etc., would human life be completely bad? What about the Amish people? Are there any problems?

5. Is this world creating a joke? #COVID

Tolstoy's "Meditations Every Day" is truly a remarkable work. In it, he distills and presents the spiritual philosophies of numerous ethnic groups, cultures, and historical periods, creating a unique and unrivaled piece compared to anything else in the world of literature. His ideas are the essence of the most precious seven thousand years of human experience, and they remain fresh, true, and applicable today, just as they were before. Tolstoy teaches readers to reflect, be amazed, laugh, and most importantly, understand the "human nature" with clarity and deep empathy.

Now, in an era when the "awareness of the spirit" is increasingly growing, this great masterpiece - a "self-help" book, once again, can provide readers everywhere with sources of inspiration and comfort. And as he dreamed, it can "help them in their lives and work."

Reading this book is in some ways similar to the experience of meditation: the same thing is repeated over and over again, until suddenly something breaks. One must be truly disciplined, must persevere in pursuit, and must overcome the feeling of boredom in order to feel more profound later on. In some ways, I think that when writing this book (and the two previous works in the series), Tolstoy was also practicing this.

"Out of every ten books, nine are published only to take money out of our pockets. Therefore, it is best not to read the'most fashionable' and most common books. First of all, try to read and study only the greatest authors of all times and all nations, because only these authors can teach and educate us."

This passage emphasizes the importance of choosing books carefully. It warns against being influenced by popular trends and instead encourages us to focus on the works of outstanding authors. By doing so, we can gain more valuable knowledge and inspiration. Tolstoy's own writing style, with its repetitive and meditative nature, may also serve as an example for us to follow in our own reading and writing.

I've been turning to this book every morning for a while now. It's truly a remarkable piece of work. Tolstoy was not just a great writer but also a profound thinker. His insights into religion and philosophy are simply astonishing. The ideas he presents in this book are a frequently-sought but rarely-found source of great wisdom. It's as if he has unlocked the secrets of the universe and is sharing them with us through his words. I can't emphasize enough how much I highly recommend this book as a daily reader. It has the power to transform your thinking and open your eyes to new perspectives. Every page is filled with thought-provoking concepts that will make you stop and reflect. Whether you're interested in religion, philosophy, or just looking for some inspiration, this book is a must-read.

Somewhat a book of affirmations, Tolstoy, who is Christian, expresses his profound views on Christianity.

He delves deep into the essence of Christianity and presents his interpretations in a way that is both thought-provoking and enlightening.

In a sense, he utilizes all of the world's religions to convey his unique perspective on life.

His exploration of different religious beliefs and practices allows him to draw connections and find commonalities that ultimately contribute to his overall understanding of the human experience.

Moreover, as a vegan, his views on meat eating are truly refreshing.

He challenges the traditional观念 surrounding meat consumption and offers a new way of thinking about our relationship with food and animals.

His stance on veganism is not only based on ethical considerations but also on a deeper understanding of the impact that our dietary choices have on the environment and our own well-being.

Tolstoy's work serves as a reminder that our beliefs and actions can have a profound impact on the world around us, and that we should strive to live in a way that is in line with our values and principles.

The introduction of the book mentions that this book is regarded as Chicken Soup. I don't agree with that. It is much more than that. To deeply understand what Tolstoy refers to in the book, I think readers must have experienced and explored a lot about the Soul, and the journey to the Soul of each person is very special and requires a lot of time. Therefore, saying that this book is in the form of Chicken Soup is too hasty.

I like this book in part because of the translator's annotations. To have such meticulous annotations, the translator himself must have a very clear understanding of various topics such as Philosophy, Soul, Religion... and have experience with the Soul. Reading one or two, three topics every day and then pondering over them, I find that my spiritual world expands even more ^^.

Leo Tolstoy is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of all time. His works are known for their profound insights into human nature and society.

One of his lesser-known but equally remarkable works is the "Calendar of Wisdom." This collection of aphorisms and sayings draws from a variety of sources, including Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam.

Tolstoy, who was himself a Christian, was also deeply interested in other religions and saw value in their teachings. He included many sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (hadith) in the book, demonstrating his respect for the Islamic faith.

For Tolstoy, the ideas and teachings of religion were a source of inspiration and guidance for humanity. He believed that by studying and reflecting on these teachings, people could lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

In this translated edition, Tolstoy states that he has read and reread this work many times, extracting its wisdom and applying it to his own life. The "Calendar of Wisdom" is a testament to Tolstoy's open-mindedness and his belief in the power of different religions to enrich and enlighten our understanding of the world.

I have a deep love for quotes. Therefore, Tolstoy's selections on diverse topics were extremely interesting to me. It reminds me that one can learn a great deal about a person through the wisdom they hold dear. This collection was Tolstoy's final major work and a project that spanned 15 years.

For example, he wrote, "Those who are in the mountains can see the sun rise sooner than those in the valley." This quote implies that those in a higher position or with a broader perspective may have an earlier understanding or perception of certain things.

Another example is, "A person who loves himself has few competitors." It suggests that self-love and self-confidence can give a person an advantage as they are not constantly comparing themselves to others.

Finally, "He has power who can keep quiet in an argument even when he is right." This quote emphasizes the importance of self-control and the ability to remain calm and composed in the face of conflict.