The Kingdom of God Is Within You

work by Tolstoy

Also known as: “Tsarstvo bozhiye vnutri vas”

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June 30, 2026

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Leo Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God Is Within You is a philosophical and religious work that critiques traditional Christianity and state authority. Following a period of existential despair, Tolstoy developed a new faith based on his interpretation of Jesus's teachings, particularly the Sermon on the Mount.

He rejected religious dogma, miracles, and the concept of the Trinity, viewing Jesus as a wise man rather than the son of God. Tolstoy's core tenets included: do not be angry, do not lust, do not take oaths, do not resist evil, and love your enemies. This led him to embrace pacifism and a form of anarchism, as he believed governments rely on violence. He advocated for nonresistance to evil, meaning evil should not be fought with violent means.12

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Leo Tolstoy
Conversion and religious beliefs
…Tsarstvo bozhiye vnutri vas (1893; The Kingdom of God Is Within You) and many other essays and tracts. In brief, Tolstoy rejected all the sacraments, all miracles, the Holy Trinity, the immortality of the soul, and many other tenets of traditional religion, all of which he regarded as obfuscations of…
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…Tsarstvo bozhiye vnutri vas (1893; The Kingdom of God Is Within You) and many other essays and tracts. In brief, Tolstoy rejected all the sacraments, all miracles, the Holy Trinity, the immortality of the soul, and many other tenets of traditional religion, all of which he regarded as obfuscations of…
Read More