positivity quotes

7 Leo Tolstoy quotes that will inspire you to cultivate a positive attitude

Through his words, Leo Tolstoy urges us to add meaning to our lives and make it more purposeful.

Born in 1828 in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia, Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy or Leo Tolstoy is regarded as one of the greatest novelists of the 19th century. Two of his best works, War and Peace and Anna Karenina, have been hailed as some of the finest novels that were ever written.

His books have influenced countless individuals, most notably Mahatma Gandhi, who was deeply influenced by his ideal “simplicity of life and purity of purpose,” according to Deccan Herald. Some of his other works include Resurrection, The Kingdom of God is Within You and The Death of Ivan Ilyich.

The timeless wisdom contained in his books and short stories offers invaluable life lessons that still hold immense value. They have numerous positive quotes that show us how to embrace simplicity, challenge our views, accept ourselves as they are, and become more optimistic. Through his books, Tolstoy urges us to add meaning to our lives and make them more purposeful. If you are looking for some inspiration or positivity in life, these powerful and wise quotes from Leo Tolstoy can act as a guiding light.

“If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.”

7 positive attitude quotes

If you constantly strive for perfection in every aspect of your life, you may not attain contentment. This attitude will leave you unsatisfied and cause unhappiness. If unaddressed, this tendency can make you bitter and lower your self-confidence. A solution to this problem would be to chase excellence instead of perfection. Start by setting realistic and achievable goals for yourself. This simple change can do wonders for your confidence and bring joy into your life.

“If you want to be happy, be.”

Top Happiness Quotes

This positive life quote stresses that happiness is within your control. It is, after all, a state of mind. Happiness comes from positive feelings. If you think positively about yourself, life situations, and the people around you, your words and actions will follow your thoughts. However, changing your thoughts pattern can be a cumbersome task at first. But there are positive activities that can help you foster a positive outlook. You can practice meditation, cultivate gratitude, or keep a journal to tap into the source of inner bliss and joy.

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

power of patience and time in achieving goals

Failure is a part of life. It teaches important lessons that you can inculcate in your life to improve yourself. Although no one likes to fail, it is important to cultivate patience when you are confronted by failure. Take your time to understand and analyse the reasons behind your failure. Adopting a calm approach can help you see a clearer picture and stop you from making the same mistakes again. Moreover, when you have patience, you will not make hasty decisions, which in turn, can reduce the number of mistakes you make. Over time, with these two warriors by your side, you will be able to reach your goals and become a more positive and motivated person.

“Let us forgive each other—only then will we live in peace.”

This positive life quote by Leo Tolstoy talks about the importance of forgiveness. It is about letting go of resentments and grudges against the ones who have wronged you in some way. It can be difficult to let go of the anger but when you harness the power of forgiveness, you feel as if the weight of the world has been lifted from your shoulder. You feel at peace because you are no longer thinking about the person that hurt you. You are choosing to move on with your life, which allows you to build new relationships and turn yourself into a more optimistic person.

“When you love someone, you love the person as they are, and not as you’d like them to be.”

Unconditional Love Quotes by Leo Tolstoy

One of the keys to a successful relationship is genuinely accepting your partner for who they are. It means embracing their flaws, admiring their qualities, and growing together as a couple. But more often than not, we struggle to do that as we have our expectations by which we measure others. We focus so much on whether or not the other person is meeting our standards that we forget to love them for being themselves and evolving. Each person is unique and they have their own qualities and weaknesses. When you accept that, you not only make your partner happy but also increase happiness in your life.

“There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness, and truth.”

three pillars of true greatness

It is the simple things that bring joy to our lives. It could be helping a person in need, being around your loved ones, watching the sunrise, dancing, or listening to music. These are simple activities but they have the power to evoke positive emotions, especially when you are feeling low. While amassing material wealth can make your life easier and more comfortable, it alone cannot guarantee your happiness. According to the American Psychological Association, research has demonstrated that “when people organise their lives around the pursuit of wealth, their happiness can actually decrease.” When you try to embrace simplicity and turn your attention inwards, you will find joy in the simpler pleasures of life.

“True life is lived when tiny changes occur.”

small changes in living a meaningful life

While setting goals in life is important as it gives you something to strive for, it is pertinent that you break them into small, achievable targets so you can stay focussed on the goal. For example, if your ultimate aim is to reduce your weight, your goal should be to exercise daily. Even if a few push-ups per day may not feel like anything special, but making them an indispensable part of your daily routine can lead to enormous results. So, start small and focus on making tiny changes in your life. This attitude will help you realise your potential so that you can evolve into the best version of yourself.

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