Everyone in the literary and nonacademic world is familiar with Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828-1910), usually referred to as Leo Tolstoy. He is affectionately known throughout the world simply as Tolstoy.
The Russian author Tolstoy is considered one of the world’s greatest novelists. Gorky, another Russian writer, once said: “It is impossible to know Russia without knowing Tolstoy.”
Tolstoy’s literary works with the theme of exploring life’s meaning and moral ethics exerted significant influence on the world’s literary scene. He is best known for his two longest works: War and Peace and Anna Karenina, and there are other novels, among which is Resurrection. These are classics, and they have profoundly impacted the development of world literature.
The early life and background of Leo Tolstoy
His outstanding literary achievements were not a coincidence. The works he produced were formed through the process of constantly reading great literary works, reflecting on the life he was leading, thinking, and creating. His family environment also played a significant role in his development.
Tolstoy was born into an aristocratic Russian family. He had an extraordinarily talented and highly artistic mother. Although his parents died early, his good family background still profoundly influenced him.
At the age of seven, he began to develop a keen interest in literature, and at the age of 16, he left his hometown for Kazan. He was admitted to the department of Oriental languages and literature at the university, and he then transferred to the law department. It was in Kazan that Tolstoy was exposed to Chinese culture.
In 1856, Tolstoy retired from the army and traveled to Europe twice, an experience that opened his eyes. Soon, he completed Youth, the third novel in his autobiographical trilogy.
Then, he completed the epoch-making literary masterpieces War and Peace and Anna Karenina, which established his noble position in the history of world literature.
Deep search for the meaning of existence and study of the ancient Chinese sages
At the same time, Tolstoy reflected deeply on people and society. He pondered to himself such eternal puzzles as: What is the meaning of existence? What is the true meaning of life? It can be said that he spent his life searching for the truth as to “why people are born and why they exist.”
During his long-term explorations of life, Tolstoy discovered and studied the wisdom of the Chinese sages. He became interested in Chinese traditional culture and extensively researched many ancient Chinese luminaries. He delved into the wisdom espoused by Confucius, Mencius, Lao Zi, and Mozi, which gave him much inspiration. Encountering Lao Zi’s Tao Te Ching profoundly influenced his great works.
He once wrote to a friend: “I am fully immersed in the wisdom of China and wish to introduce to you all the moral benefits that these books have brought me.”
Tolstoy very much wanted to translate Lao Zi’s Tao Te Ching into the Russian language, but he did not understand Chinese. Later, he found the Japanese scholar Konishi Masutaro, who was one of the first authors to translate this work. In this way, Tao Te Ching finally had a translation into the Russian language.
In 1903, Tolstoy published his compilation of a collection of insights and wisdom, which quoted 36 passages of Lao Zi. This work is called Path of Life, Wise Thoughts for Every Day. Later, Tolstoy quoted Lao Zi many times in his works.
Glimpses into Lao Zi’s concept of ‘virtue’
To understand Lao Zi’s thought, we must first understand the meaning of “virtue,” which is a form of material substance that arises from the “Tao.”
At that time, as now, eastern culture believed that “virtue” and righteousness could be transformed into blessings such as health, wealth, happiness, and success, such as becoming a high-ranking official. It could also enable those who aspire to practice cultivation to enter a very high state.
Therefore, Chinese elders often talk about “doing good deeds and accumulating virtue,” “lack of virtue produces karma,” “ancestors accumulating virtue,” and so on. These are traditional values passed down from generation to generation in Chinese culture.
In Tolstoy’s eyes, Lao Zi was a great moral teacher. He integrated the ethical values and ways of thinking he learned from Lao Zi’s thoughts into his daily life and literary creations. After his interpretation, these thoughts from the East have become universal concepts that the Russian people can accept and understand.
In Tolstoy’s works, it is not difficult to find his passion for life, high ideals, and his defense of truth and justice. His words can make people feel beautiful but also give people strength and encouragement to endure.
He espoused the doctrine of ‘Do not fight evil with violence’
In 1908, Tolstoy condemned British colonial rule in an open letter to the Indian people and advocated the principle of “Do not fight evil with violence.” Gandhi, studying in England then, was taken aback and began communicating with Tolstoy in 1909.
Gandhi, who Tolstoy profoundly influenced, established the Tolstoy Farm during his work in South Africa and accepted the idea of ”Do not fight evil with violence.” Looking back at Tolstoy’s life, after several changes and development of thought, what he sought in his later years was no longer the world-renowned literary status and wealth, but the pursuit of the truth of life and the universe.
He strived to live a simple civilian life and even wanted to donate all his copyrights and properties to people. But for him, people are just “passers-by” in the world. Sooner or later, the laurels, the wealth, and even the body are left behind and cannot be taken along after death.
