What Men Live By?
By rubyroy
@rubyroy (824)
India
February 2, 2013 6:02am CST
This is a famous short story by Leo Tolstoy.I have read it many times,because the theme of the story is something which you have to understand to overcome the present day selfishness in us.The story mainly revolves around an Angel who disobeyed God to cater for a human need.God punished him to learn how humans exist what are three things that he need to learn to undo his punishment.The Angel learned that human exist by caring for others rather than themselves.They are not given the wisdom to know when they die and finally men lives by love for each other rather than today's self love and promotion of oneself.We have been created for loving,caring for others to win the fear over death.This is a theme we have to spread for our fight against terrorism and selfish motives.No amount of fighting in this world is going to secure a place for you in heaven,but loving and caring others,without selfish motive is going to get a place for you in heaven.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
2 Feb 13
Heaven is a word that is bandied around, but nobody really understands what its about. From what I've heard rumored, its not somewhere I'd like to end up! I would not enjoy walking on streets paved with gold, of even sitting by the feet of God forever. I could take that for about 2 hours at most. Beautiful scenery is ok for a while, and music would get tiresome. I love to work and I'm putting my name in right now for a job shoveling coal onto the fires of Hell!
1 person likes this
@binaybbsr1 (375)
• India
3 Feb 13
Though my response may differ from your written lines, but i am sure that you dont think differently. Your intention is good, its quite understood. Firstly the three things you have mentioned regarding human beings are perhaps equally applicable to all living elements. Secondly, i m confused, how to related the selfish attitude with terrorism etc., where the engaged people are not serving anything for themselves. They are trained to kill people and in the same time they are also brainwashed by other militants. As you have told correctly, we need to love and care for others, in the same time, we are to fight for our survivals too. Its common in every living entity else, we shall be recorded as a living element of history like that of dinosaur.
@rubyroy (824)
• India
12 Feb 13
Friend, true selfless love is a very powerful weapon which Christ taught us when he gave himself for us on the cross.Fight will start another chain of fights but if you start to love another person without any conditions you will see that you can achieve more than the fighters.An eye for an eye make the whole world blind but selfless love will spread light and no darkness.
@binaybbsr1 (375)
• India
7 Feb 13
by this logic, i think freedom fighters hv done a big blunder. They wud try to love the rulers and gradually a miracle of all good things wud come out.
@nanayangel (7879)
• Philippines
30 Apr 13
Hi there Ruby Roy!
I have not read the story yet but it sure is interesting. It is very inspirational and it does show how people love and do things out of love. I think that the readers can learn a lot of things from that story.
@sanjay91422 (2725)
• India
11 Feb 13
Every person on this earth love them self the most, and they care most about him/her self. It is the truth of this earth.
@ashrimp (24)
• China
3 Feb 13
I am quite agree with your point.Sometimes I think we are just too busy to think of some question about ourselves and the life we are suffering.Suffering?Yes.But you have to admit that you are not alone because of love.Family,friends,lovers and you yourself is always here.
@nangongqing (7)
• China
3 Feb 13
I once read a book callled love “Education",from the word I read the book that I late a person not selfish .Love everyone is there,but never find love by heart ,I like a world of love because love is a beautiful world is bright.
