What Men Live By (1881) is one of Tolstoy’s most beloved short works — a gentle folk tale about a shoemaker who takes in a mysterious stranger, who turns out to be an angel learning what sustains human life. Accompanied by other moral fables in this collection, it showcases the side of Tolstoy devoted to clarity, simplicity, and spiritual teaching rather than vast social canvases.
These tales draw on Russian folk tradition and Christian ethics to illuminate what matters most. This free EPUB download is perfect for readers who want Tolstoy’s wisdom in a compact and accessible form.