The Greatest Short Stories of Leo Tolstoy

'Learn what dwells in man.' And I understood that in man dwells Love!

And when she brought me food and looked at me, I glanced at her and saw that death no longer dwelt in her; she had become alive, and in her, too, I saw God.

"What dwells in man I already knew. Now I learnt what is not given him. It is not given to man to know his own needs.

I looked up, and did not recognize the same man; before, I had seen death in his face; but now he was alive, and I recognized in him the presence of God.

And God said: 'Go-take the mother's soul, and learn three truths: Learn What dwells in man, What is not given to man, and What men live by. When thou has learnt these things, thou shalt return to heaven.'

And when the woman showed her love for the children that were not her own, and wept over them, I saw in her the living God and understood What men live by.

Ah, lad! It's you that don't see; malice blinds you. Others' sins are before your eyes, but your own are behind your back. "He's acted badly!" What a thing to say! If he were the only one to act badly, how could strife exist? Is strife among men ever bred by one alone? Strife is always between two.

So the most important time was when you were digging the beds; and I was the most important man; and to do me good was your most important business.

But in what temple is there such a font as the ocean; such a vault as that of the heavens; such lamps as the sun, moon, and stars; or any figures to be compared with living, loving, mutually-helpful men?