"Bethink Yourselves!" by graf Leo Tolstoy
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"Bethink Yourselves!" by Leo Tolstoy is a philosophical essay written in the early 20th century. The book critiques the senselessness of war and the moral failings of society as it grapples with the realities of violence, particularly in the context of the Russo-Japanese War. Tolstoy's work urges readers to reflect on the nature of humanity, morality, and the stark contradictions inherent in civilization’s collective actions during wartime. In this essay, Tolstoy vehemently
condemns war, illustrating how society's elitist figures propagate violence while remaining unscathed from its consequences. He lays bare the absurdity of educated individuals who incite conflict under various pretexts, urging the masses to fight for nationalistic interests rather than recognizing their shared humanity. Through poignant examples, he argues that true enlightenment cannot coexist with the glorification of war and calls for individuals, from soldiers to leaders, to critically reflect on their roles and responsibilities in perpetuating violence. By invoking the teachings of Jesus and emphasizing the need for compassion and selflessness, Tolstoy presents a visionary appeal for peace, inviting each person to reconsider their actions and align with a moral life that prioritizes love and understanding over hatred and aggression." (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Tolstoy, Leo, graf, 1828-1910 |
|---|---|
| Translator | Chertkov, V. G. (Vladimir Grigorevich), 1854-1936 |
| Title | "Bethink Yourselves!" |
| Credits |
Produced by Gerard Arthus, Jana Srna and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material from the Google Print project.) |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 47.5 (College-level). Difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | JX: Political science: International law |
| Subject | Peace |
| Subject | Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905 |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 27189 |
| Release Date | Nov 7, 2008 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 510 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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