Gaining as much renown as one of the greatest representatives of realist literature as he did as a philosopher and teacher, Russian writer-thinker Tolstoy (1828-1910) is an artist and intellectual in global terms.

In his book called "Resurrection", the famous author, who opposed the classification of people as good or evil, gives the following description:

"People are like rivers. The water is always the same but the river is narrow in some places and wider in others. It flows at a slack pace in one spot and rapid in another. Its water is sometimes clear, sometimes murky, sometimes cold, and sometimes warm. People are the same. Each person carries within him every human trait or flaw. Nevertheless, in any situation, one or the other of these traits manifests itself. At times, a human may behave in ways unfamiliar to himself, as opposed to constantly being the same person.

It is important that all forms of fear, conceit, and superiority are curbed/subjugated in order for human traits to kick in. As it has been written, "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

In the spirit of true love and self-control, there are virtues like compassion, mercy, fairness, fidelity, helping each other, protection, nurture, guardianship, appreciation, sharing....

Because love -to love- is not merely a feeling. It is a way of living and doing things with self-control. A loving person serves life through a consistent character and self-confidence that they create within themselves. They smile at life. They defeat every form conceit and superiority. They see others as their equals. They strive for a healthy and safe society. For they have experienced the inner peace that comes with being oneself.

I wish you all a healthy tomorrow in which all can be more truly themselves.

Malfono Yusuf Beğtaş