# Conclusion explained — The Kingdom of God Is Within You

> Chapter companion for The Kingdom of God Is Within You by Leo Tolstoy.

## What happens

Tolstoy concludes by condemning hypocrisy, especially religious and state-sanctioned hypocrisy, as the greatest corrupting force in society. He argues that true life consists in serving the Kingdom of God through recognition and profession of truth, not through external efforts to secure temporal life. He criticizes organized government and military power as inherently dangerous and immoral, and calls for individuals to seek the kingdom of God within.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy of Society

Tolstoy denounces the hypocrisy of religious and state leaders who justify theft, murder, and war under the guise of duty and progress, corrupting millions.

### The Kingdom of God Within

The chapter concludes with the assertion that the kingdom of God is within each individual, and that serving it through truth is the only meaning of life.

### Critique of Church and State

Tolstoy criticizes the state's military organization and the church's complicity in sanctifying violence, such as executions and wars.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Quoted as condemning hypocrisy and teaching that the kingdom of God is within.

### Vasily Zhukovsky

Mentioned for his proposal of an execution that would evoke religious meekness, which Tolstoy condemns as deeply corrupting.

### Yemelyan Pugachev

Cited as an example of a violent leader who could seize power under a state military organization.

### Napoleon

Used as an example of a ruler who could come to power through the military organization.

### Catherine the Great

Mentioned as a ruler who might hold power under the same dangerous military system.

## Key lines

> What corrupts, angers, bestializes, and, therefore, disunites men, is not thieving, nor spoliation, nor murder, nor fornication, nor forgery, but the lie, that special lie of hypocrisy which in the consciousness of men destroys the distinction between good and evil...

The greatest harm to humanity comes not from obvious crimes like theft or murder, but from hypocrisy—the lie that blurs the line between good and evil.

_Tolstoy argues that hypocrisy is more destructive than direct wrongdoing because it corrupts moral understanding._

> Seek ye the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

Focus on pursuing God's kingdom and righteousness, and material needs will be provided.

_Tolstoy quotes Jesus to emphasize that the only meaningful human endeavor is spiritual service, not worldly security._

> The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, Lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

God's kingdom cannot be seen or located externally; it exists inside each person.

_This biblical quote reinforces Tolstoy's theme that true transformation is internal and individual._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kingdom_of_god_is_within_you_se/chapters/xii-conclusion
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kingdom_of_god_is_within_you_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kingdom_of_god_is_within_you_se/chapters