“I felt how much better and more dignified it was for me to show off the finer side of my soul than of my body.”

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Meaning

The speaker is contrasting inner character with physical appearance. He says it feels more respectable to display moral or spiritual qualities than to present the body as something to be admired. The quote values dignity through character rather than appearance.

When It Was Said

Not documented yet.

Who It Was Said To

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Historical Context

Not documented yet.

Source

The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories (2004)

Original Language & Translation

Originally said in English.

Did They Really Say It?

The phrase appears in the book "The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories (2004)" by Leo Tolstoy (Google Books snippet); no earlier source was checked.

Did You Know?

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About Leo Tolstoy

Russian writer

Leo Tolstoy was a Russian writer. Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy, he lived in the 19th and early 20th centuries and is known in English as Leo Tolstoy. He is regarded as one of the most influential authors of all time. His work has shaped later literature and readers continue to return to his writing for its scope and force.

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