Only the truth and its ...

Only the truth and its expression can establish that new public opinion which will reform the ancient obsolete and pernicious order of life; and yet we not only do not express the truth we know, but often even distinctly give expression to what we ourselves regard as false. If only free men would not rely on that which has no power, and is always fettered upon external aids; but would trust in that which is always powerful and free the truth and its expression!
Only the truth and its expression can establish that new public opinion which will reform the ancient obsolete and pernicious order of life; and yet we not only do not express the truth we know, but often even distinctly give expression to what we ourselves regard as false. If only free men would not rely on that which has no power, and is always fettered upon external aids; but would trust in that which is always powerful and free the truth and its expression!
 Leo Tolstoy

Quotes from the same author

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
 See image
 Leo Tolstoy
We lost because we told ourselves we lost.
 See image
 Leo Tolstoy
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.
 See image
 Leo Tolstoy
The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.
 See image
 Leo Tolstoy
The life of our class, of the wealthy and the learned, was not only repulsive to me but had lost all meaning. The sum of our action and thinking, of our science and art, all of it struck me as the overindulgences of a spoiled child.
 See image
 Leo Tolstoy