Lot 29: TOLSTOY, LEO

Autograph letter signed, 4 pages (6 x 4 in.; 154 x 101 mm), on grid paper with perforations at head, possibly torn from a notebook, in Russian, [no place], 6 November 1908, to Roman Stanislavovich, warning him about love; half brown morocco folding case with morocco gilt spine label, translation lining inside of folding case

LITERATURE

Tolstoy: Complete Works, 1956, Volume 78, letter 277.

NOTE

Being in love is a harmful emotion. Tolstoy explains to his correspondent that being "in love" is a harmful emotion which is always painful in its consequences, and it is commonly and wrongly perceived as the same as "love": " . . . love is only love when it is selfless and does not seek its own satisfaction. Such a love one can feel for one's wife without its being in any way simulated, and this emotion will give you true happiness . . ." He warns Stanislavovich that surrendering to his feelings will only lead to a lowering of his moral standards and to all the sufferings which will inevitably follow.