At this time I began to write from vanity greed and pride. In my writings Idid exactly as in life. In order to possess the glory and the wealth for whosesake I ... » 

At this time I began to write from vanity greed and pride. In my writings Idid exactly as in life. In order to possess the glory and the wealth for whosesake I wrote it was necessary to conceal the good and to display the bad. Andso I did. Tolstoys autobiographical essay is a dissection of his soul astudy of his lifes movement away from the religious certainties of youth anda vital piece of reading which contextualizes the great works he is best knownfor. Marking the point at which his life moved from the worldly to thespiritual Tolstoys philosophical reassessment of the Orthodox faith is a workthat holds vital spiritual and intellectual importance to this very day. «