Book Notes
A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts To Nourish The Soul
Leo Tolstoy
1997 – Scribner – 384 pages
Dave’s Summary
Leo Tolstoy was a Russian writer who lived in the 1800’s. He wrote two famous works, War and Peace and Anna Karenina. His work explored love, faith, war, and everyday life. His works influenced many writers and social leaders. He also wrote “A Calendar of Wisdom,” a collection of ideas and quotes from the Bible, the Koran, the Talmud, Greek philosophy, and Buddhist teachings, along with reflections from great thinkers such as Marcus Aurelius. Because it is laid out as a day-by-day calendar, a person could read this as a daily meditation. But I couldn’t resist. I read it cover to cover but will refer back to it periodically.
Memorable Quotes
Kindness and virtue come from the heart and should be performed without thought for the opinion of others, or of future rewards. Virtue and charity start at home. If you have to go somewhere to display it, then it is not a virtue.
Charity is good only when it comes as a sacrifice; only then do those who receive the material gift receive the spiritual gift too. If it is not a sacrifice but a discharge of excess, it can only irritate those who receive it.
It is important to teach children kindness and simplicity in life and work. All of children’s moral and spiritual education should be supported by your own good example. You should live virtuously, or at least try to do so; the success of your good life will educate your children
The kinder and the more thoughtful a person is, the more kindness he can find in other people. Kindness enriches our life; with kindness mysterious things become clear, difficult things become easy, and dull things become cheerful.
Nothing can make our life, or the lives of other people, more beautiful than perpetual kindness.
Purchase the book here and I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. But, by doing this, you help support my reading habit! Also, I do not get paid to read or review books. All of the books I summarize were either purchased by me or borrowed from my local library.
Dave Edwards Media 