What Men Live By

By Leo Tolstoy

A kind and humble shoemaker called Simon goes out one day to purchase sheep-skins in order to sew a winter coat for his wife and himself to share. Usually the little money, which Simon earned would be spent to feed his wife and children. Simon decided that in order to afford the skins he must go on a collection to receive the five Rubels and twenty Kopeks owed to him by his customers. As he heads out to collect the money he also borrows a three Rubel note from his wife's money box. While going on his collection he only manages to receive twenty Kopeks rather than the full amount. Feeling disheartened by this Simon rashly spends the twenty Kopeks on Vodka and starts to head back home...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Otbebookpublishing
• Release date: Mar 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9783956762000

Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy was born in 1828 in Tula, near Moscow. His parents, who both died when he was young, belonged to the Russian nobility, and to the end of his life Tolstoy remained conscious of his aristocratic status. His novels, ‘War and Peace’ and ‘Anna Karenina’ are literary classics and he is revered as one of the greatest writers of the nineteenth century. He died in 1910 at the age of 82.

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Reviews for What Men Live By

[greeniezona · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I first heard about this story in Cancer Ward, and I was immediately curious. Had I understood at the time how very short a story it is, I would have realized that the summary given by the characters in Cancer Ward pretty much covered the entire thing, but still, when I saw this charming little hardback at my favorite used bookstore, I was enchanted and couldn't pass it up.What Men Live By is a parable/fairy tale -- and because it's by Tolstoy you know it will be religious, moral, and austere. I confess I have a lot of sympathy for his philosophy, so I could hardly fail to be charmed by this story, with or without its religious motivations.

[clara53_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A simple story at first glance, narrated by the one of the world's most magnificent writers, so naturally, it couldn't have been "a simple story" but one with a profound message at the end. I can tell, though, that the story suffered in the process of translation and I am going to find the original Russian version.

[gwen6ashworth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Tolstoy's allegorical tale about a fallen angel, Michael, who (like many of us) believed he knew better than God. Michael is sent to earth naked and alone during a harsh Russian winter to discover what men live by. If Michael survives and makes this discovery, he can regain his wings and return to the heavenly realm. With his simple yet precise use of language, Tolstoy is a master storyteller! I loved this story so much and was unsuccessful at convincing my husband and children to read it that one year on a twenty hour road trip out west, I read it aloud to them. At first, they moaned and groaned but at the stories end, they admitted that they enjoyed it.

[kiwikowalski · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Originally written for an audience of children, peasants, and the newly-literate, this short story is simple and easy to understand. It is a religious parable, but can be enjoyed by anyone as a critique of morality and the best way to live life. This work is entertaining the entire way through, and is surprising and thought-provoking on many levels. It can be interpreted as simply as it is written, or as philosophically as it was intended.

[cdeuker · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm not religious, but this story by Tolstoy certainly nudged me in that direction. An allegory about an angel who takes up residence with a poor shoemaker, Simon. The angel is being punished by God and needs to learn what men live by. Not self-interest, but love, is Tolstoy's answer. Trite from me--not so from the pen of a great writer.

[thefaintjoy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found it a very entertaining and easy read. It is a basic philosophy book at its core with a religious theme. Reminds me of Aesop's Fables. I enjoyed it.