Leo Tolstoy — People

A fogged round mirror rests beside a ribbon-tied stack of sealed letters on burgundy ground. — Original artwork

And Sergey Ivanovitch put before him the alternative: either you are so undeveloped that you can’t see all that you can do, or you won’t sacrifice your ease, your vanity, or whatever it is, to do it.

Leo Tolstoy

A small red sailboat riding a wave of blue fabric beneath a pale sky and a curling trail of golden dots. — Original artwork

I wanted movement and not a calm course of existence. I wanted excitement and danger and the chance to sacrifice myself for my love. I felt in myself a superabundance of energy.

Leo Tolstoy

Two floral porcelain teacups on a small silver tray beside a folded mauve glove against a rose-and-teal background. — Original artwork

She had no need to ask why he had come. She knew as certainly as if he had told her that he was here to be where she was.

Leo Tolstoy