20 ideal quotes from “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy

Naushad Sajnani
LIGHTHOUSE
Published in
3 min readSep 7, 2023
Courtesy FP

“War and Peace,” penned by the renowned Russian author Leo Tolstoy, stands as one of the most monumental and enduring works in the realm of literature. This epic novel, first published in the mid-19th century, is a literary masterpiece that weaves together the lives, loves, and destinies of its multifaceted characters against the backdrop of war and societal upheaval in Russia during the Napoleonic era. Tolstoy’s magnum opus is not just a narrative of history but a profound exploration of human nature, morality, and the timeless pursuit of meaning in a world marked by chaos and change. With its intricate storytelling, philosophical musings, and unforgettable characters, “War and Peace” continues to captivate readers, offering insights into the complexities of existence that remain as relevant today as they were when the book was first written.

“War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy is a classic novel filled with profound insights and memorable quotes. Here are 20 ideal quotes from the book:

1. “We can know only that we know nothing. And that is the highest degree of human wisdom.”

2. “Man is what he believes.”

3. “The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.”

4. “If everyone fought for their own convictions, there would be no war.”

5. “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

6. “In order to see birds, it is necessary to become a part of the silence.”

7. “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”

8. “The only real happiness in life is in serving others.”

9. “The soul is healed by being with children.”

10. “The whole world is divided for me into two parts: one is she, and there is all happiness, hope, light; the other is where she is not, and there is dejection and darkness…”

11. “Without knowing what I am and why I am here, life is impossible.”

12. “All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow.”

13. “A thought that is sometimes relevant to a matter at hand but never relevant to what is in one’s heart.”

14. “All the diversity, all the charm, and all the beauty of life are made up of light and shade.”

15. “Freemasonry, at any rate, ought to arouse the most noble feelings in man; it seems to me that is the true view.”

16. “To get rid of the delusion that I am not loved, that I am not all I once was.”

17. “But the law of loving others could not be discovered by reason, because it is unreasonable.”

18. “Pure and complete sorrow is as impossible as pure and complete joy.”

19. “One can live magnificently in this world if one knows how to work and how to love.”

20. “We are asleep until we fall in love!”

These quotes capture some of the timeless wisdom and deep philosophical themes found in “War and Peace.”

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Naushad Sajnani
LIGHTHOUSE

Crafting words, I breathe life into stories, articles, and essays that stir hearts, incite thought and ignite imagination