Leo Tolstoy, author: “The wicked become even worse whey they are tolerated”
We take a look at a famous quote widely attributed to one of the most influential writers in human history.
The quote:
“The wicked become even worse when they are tolerated.”
Where does it come from?
The quote is widely attributed to the 19th-century Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, best known for his classic novels War and Peace (1869) and Anna Karenina (1878). However, its exact provenance is unclear.
What conclusions can be drawn from the quote? Three key points:
- Escalation through toleration
When harmful behavior faces no pushback - whether in politics, sports, business or personal relationships - it’s often emboldened.
- Tolerance as complicity
Through inaction in the face of destructive behavior, we’re not just taking a neutral stance; we’re actively strengthening the wrongdoer.
- Consequences for a healthy community
A community - be it a nation, a sports locker room, a workplace or a family - cannot thrive if harmful actors face no consequences.
What are other famous Tolstoy quotes? Three more favorites:
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
- From Three Methods of Reform (1900)
“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
- From Anna Karenina
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.”
- From War and Peace
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