I know that most men–not only those considered clever, but even those who are very clever, and capable of understanding most difficult scientific, mathematical, or philosophic problems–can very seldom discern even the simplest and most obvious truth if it be such as to oblige them to admit the falsity of conclusions they have formed, perhaps with much difficulty–conclusions of which they are proud, which they have taught to others, and on which they have built their lives. Leo Tolstoy
About This Quote

This quote is from a woman named Adela, and she is talking about how hard it can be to change the world. She was speaking about how men might be intelligent, but that doesn't mean that they can understand something that is beyond their grasp. This is because men often need to prove themselves and to feel like they are good enough to understand difficult things. Adela was saying that even though women may not be as intelligent as men, they will still be able to understand something if it requires more than simply being smart.

Men usually only accept the truth when they have to admit that what they thought was true was wrong. Women tend to see things in their proper light and so will never go against the grain if it means doing something that might hurt them or other people.

Source: What Is Art?

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More Quotes By Leo Tolstoy
  1. I think... if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts.
  2. Respect was invented to cover the empty place where love should be.
  3. Love. The reason I dislike that word is that it means too much for me, far more than you can understand."- Anna Karenina {Anna Karenina}
  4. I've always loved you, and when you love someone, you love the whole person, just as he or she is, and not as you would like them to be.
  5. They've got no idea what happiness is, they don't know that without this love there is no happiness or unhappiness for us--there is no life.
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