A Confession (Unabridged)

"A Confession" is an 1880 autobiographical essay on the subject of despair, philosophy, and religion by the great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy. In it, he describes his search for answers to questions on the meaning of life. Tolstoy discusses his various attempts to find answers in science, philosophy, Eastern wisdom, and the opinions of his fellow novelists. He also contemplates suicide. Recognizing the deep religious convictions of ordinary people as a source of answers, he challenges the authenticity of organized religion. Tolstoy concluded that the meaning of life is to be found in the fact that God has a purpose for us and that the meaning of this life is that it is a preparation for the next life.