Actually this topic is kind of signature for Tolstoy. There's even a special word for that: "толстовство"[1].
On the other hand, the word "толстовство" and especially "толстовец" (that is somebody, who is participating in Tolstoyan movement) has somewhat derogatory connotation in Russian today. Not without a reason, I guess. Many have been noticing that Tolstoy is kind of a "poser" and often his words contradict his actions, aren't honest — quite often nothing more than beautiful words, actually.
I, personally, agree with many of these criticisms, so I don't consider Tolstoy the best teacher and inspirer of that matter.
Thanks for the info. I still think it's interesting, given how popular / famous Tolstoy is, and I'll probably read some of his stuff just to be able to talk about it.
But yeah, I do find it most inspiring reading people whose lives actually _do_ reflect these truths in obvious ways.
Yes, anybody who sees Tolstoy as some saint ought to read Troyat's excellent biography of him. Tolstoy was a great novelist and a powerful personality, but a vain and hypocritical man.
On the other hand, we can still read the great novels and do with them what we wish, and the man is long dead. So maybe that hipocrisy isn't that relevant these days?
On the other hand, the word "толстовство" and especially "толстовец" (that is somebody, who is participating in Tolstoyan movement) has somewhat derogatory connotation in Russian today. Not without a reason, I guess. Many have been noticing that Tolstoy is kind of a "poser" and often his words contradict his actions, aren't honest — quite often nothing more than beautiful words, actually.
I, personally, agree with many of these criticisms, so I don't consider Tolstoy the best teacher and inspirer of that matter.
[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolstoyan_movement