“There is one thing, and only one thing, in which it is granted to you to be free in life… that is to recognise and profess the truth.”

The culmination of a lifetime of philosophical thought and consideration, The Kingdom of God is Within You (1893) is a powerful treatise on faith, morality and the futility of violence. It was banned in the author’s native Russia because of its advocacy of pacifism, its questioning of the established socio-political order and its criticism of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Tolstoy redefines Christianity as a personal, moral revolution rather than a mystical or institutional faith and advocates for a life of moral integrity and personal connection to God, envisioning a society transformed not by force, but by individuals acting according to their consciences. His radical rejection of organised religion and state violence has inspired generations of reformers, from Mahatma Gandhi to Martin Luther King Jr.

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was a Russian novelist, philosopher, and social reformer, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of all time. He is best known for his epic novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, both celebrated for their intricate character development and profound exploration of moral dilemmas and human nature. In his later years, Tolstoy experienced a spiritual awakening which led him to reject materialism and embrace a life of simplicity, seeking to align his life with his beliefs about non-violence and compassion. Tolstoy's legacy endures not only through his literary masterpieces but also through his profound impact on literature and philosophy.