Anand Surendar

“When the second act was over Countess Bezukhova rose, turned to the Rostovs’ box—her whole bosom completely exposed—beckoned the old count with a gloved finger, and paying no attention to those who had entered her box, began talking to him with an amiable smile.”
― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

“Great common truths are disclosed to man only when he is alone: they are the revelation made by solitude in the thick of collective action.”
― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

“In quiet and untroubled times it seems to every administrator that it is only by his efforts that the whole population under his rule is kept going, and in this consciousness of being indispensable every administrator finds the chief reward of his labor and efforts. While the sea of history remains calm the ruler-administrator in his frail bark, holding on with a boat hook to the ship of the people and himself moving, naturally imagines that his efforts move the ship he is holding on to. But as soon as a storm arises and the sea begins to heave and the ship to move, such a delusion is no longer possible. The ship moves independently with its own enormous motion, the boat hook no longer reaches the moving vessel, and suddenly the administrator, instead of appearing a ruler and a source of power, becomes an insignificant, useless, feeble man.”
― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

“I tell you for the last time: turn all your attention to yourself, lay chains upon your feelings, and seek blessedness not in passions but in your own heart...the source of blessedness is not outside, but inside us...”
― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace