Endnotes explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Nonresistance to Evil

  Tolstoy defends the literal interpretation of Christ's commandment against resisting evil, criticizing those who dismiss it as impractical or extreme.

• Critique of Church and State

  Tolstoy exposes the hypocrisy of both ecclesiastical authorities who define orthodoxy narrowly and governments that oppress while claiming to protect the oppressed.

• True Christianity vs. Pagan Life-Conception

  The endnotes contrast the pagan life-conception based on social aggregates with the Christian life-conception centered on individual moral transformation.

• Hypocrisy of Society

  Tolstoy highlights the hypocrisy of governments and churches that profess Christian values while supporting violence and oppression.

Characters to notice

• Leo Tolstoy

  Author of the endnotes; provides critical commentary on the reception of his work and the interpretation of Christ's teachings.

• Jesus Christ

  His teachings on meekness, sacrifice, and nonresistance are discussed and defended against critics who dismiss them as unscientific.

• Adin Ballou

  Referenced in connection with the Non-Resistant publication and the Catechism on nonresistance.

• Peter Sidorov

  Mentioned in the context of authentic cases of oppression and resistance.

• William Lloyd Garrison

  Referenced as a figure associated with nonresistance and abolitionist thought.

• Petr Chelčický

  Mentioned in relation to the tradition of nonresistance and Christian anarchism.

Key passages

• “Christ would have liked to speak well, but He did not know how to express Himself as precisely and clearly as we, in the spirit of criticism, and so we will correct him.”

  Critics claim that Christ's teachings were well-intentioned but poorly expressed, and that modern critical thinking can improve upon them.

  Tolstoy sarcastically summarizes the attitude of those who dismiss Christ's literal commands as unscientific.

• “The fact that in America there exist abuses of power, in spite of the small number of troops, not only does not contradict, but even supports this proposition.”

  The existence of oppression in America despite its small army actually proves that power corrupts regardless of military size.

  Tolstoy argues that even minimal military force enables oppression, and that America's ruling classes seek to increase the army to maintain control.

• “If it is not right to resist evil and to swear, every man will naturally ask: 'How about military service?' And to this question the author gives no answer, though an answer is demanded.”

  If nonresistance and truthfulness are commanded, the logical question about military service arises, but the author fails to address it.

  Tolstoy criticizes Tróitski for recognizing Christ's commandments but avoiding their practical implications for military service.

• “The church is the community of the faithful established by our Lord Jesus Christ, extending over the whole world and subject to the authority of legitimate ministers, principally our Holy Father—the Pope.”

  The Catholic Church defines itself as a global community under the Pope's authority.

  Tolstoy quotes this definition to contrast it with his own view that the true church is not an external institution.

• “Where Christ is, there is the church.”

  The true church exists wherever Christ's presence is recognized, not in any formal institution.

  This aphorism encapsulates Tolstoy's rejection of institutional authority in favor of direct spiritual connection.