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The Coffee House of Surat
In the Indian town of Surat, there is a coffee-house where many travellers and foreigners from all parts of the world meet and converse. One day a learned Persian theologian visits this coffee-house. He is a man who has spent his life studying the nature of the Deity, and reading and writing books upon the subject. He has thought, read, and written so much about God, that he eventually lost his wits, became quite confused, and ceased even to believe in the existence of a God. The Shah, hearing of this, banished him from Persia.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1893
13 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Leo Tolstoy
7,982 books28.6k followersLev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (Russian: Лев Николаевич Толстой; most appropriately used Liev Tolstoy; commonly Leo Tolstoy in Anglophone countries) was a Russian writer who primarily wrote novels and short stories. Later in life, he also wrote plays and essays. His two most famous works, the novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina, are acknowledged as two of the greatest novels of all time and a pinnacle of realist fiction. Many consider Tolstoy to have been one of the world's greatest novelists. Tolstoy is equally known for his complicated and paradoxical persona and for his extreme moralistic and ascetic views, which he adopted after a moral crisis and spiritual awakening in the 1870s, after which he also became noted as a moral thinker and social reformer.
His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centering on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him in later life to become a fervent Christian anarchist and anarcho-pacifist. His ideas on nonviolent resistance, expressed in such works as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, were to have a profound impact on such pivotal twentieth-century figures as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
His literal interpretation of the ethical teachings of Jesus, centering on the Sermon on the Mount, caused him in later life to become a fervent Christian anarchist and anarcho-pacifist. His ideas on nonviolent resistance, expressed in such works as The Kingdom of God Is Within You, were to have a profound impact on such pivotal twentieth-century figures as Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 26, 2023
(3.5 stars)
"The Coffee House of Surat" was on top of my TBR Tolstoy because it is situated in my hometown. However, to my disappoint the story had little to do with the place and more with religion.
Albeit it did got a detail right that India is one of the most popular places to discuss religions and Surat was a port for Dutch traders during colonization, which means many people of various faiths did gathered in streets of the city.
As for the short story, Tolstoy discusses various faiths and people's innate wish of ownership, let it be of land or God. He also adds his beliefs (leaning towards Agnosticism) by the analogy of The Sun (it is present everywhere and nobody owns it.) He further uses the analogy of a blind man with strong disbelief in Sun's existence to describe Atheism.
It is a hefty topic to add into a few pages but Tolstoy manages to do it, in a form that is easy to grasp for many people. I particularly liked his take on ownership which is applicable to many political, religious, corporate and more trends.
"The Coffee House of Surat" was on top of my TBR Tolstoy because it is situated in my hometown. However, to my disappoint the story had little to do with the place and more with religion.
Albeit it did got a detail right that India is one of the most popular places to discuss religions and Surat was a port for Dutch traders during colonization, which means many people of various faiths did gathered in streets of the city.
As for the short story, Tolstoy discusses various faiths and people's innate wish of ownership, let it be of land or God. He also adds his beliefs (leaning towards Agnosticism) by the analogy of The Sun (it is present everywhere and nobody owns it.) He further uses the analogy of a blind man with strong disbelief in Sun's existence to describe Atheism.
It is a hefty topic to add into a few pages but Tolstoy manages to do it, in a form that is easy to grasp for many people. I particularly liked his take on ownership which is applicable to many political, religious, corporate and more trends.
October 18, 2024
Two beautiful quotes from this book.
"Can any temple compare with that which God himself has built to unite all men in one faith and in one religion?"
"Therefore, let him who sees the sun's whole light filling the world, refrain from blaming or despising the superstitions man, who in his own idol sees one ray of that same light. Let him not despise even the unbeliever who is blind and cannot see the sun at all. "
"Can any temple compare with that which God himself has built to unite all men in one faith and in one religion?"
"Therefore, let him who sees the sun's whole light filling the world, refrain from blaming or despising the superstitions man, who in his own idol sees one ray of that same light. Let him not despise even the unbeliever who is blind and cannot see the sun at all. "
May 4, 2015
Tolstoy Marathon # 3: The Coffee House of Surat
It is now my third Tolstoy’s short story, and I have noticed that most of the themes of his stories mainly deal with religion. In fact, atheists and religious apologists have still been debating whether Leo Tolstoy is considered theistic or agnostic, or probably atheistic. Perhaps they deduce their standpoints from Tolstoy’s ‘literary writings. In this short story, although abstract, it could be interpreted that he was agnostic.
A learned Persian theologian ended up perplexed about his religious conviction that there was no higher Reason controlling the universe after a long period of studies about the nature of Deity and reading and writing books. Subsequently, he was banished from Persia when The Shah heard of this.
The central story began in a coffee shop when the theologian asked his slave whether there is God, which provoked passionately heated arguments at a time of some guests with different religions in the same coffee house upon hearing the theologian’s opinion. But all the rage in the story is the tale of a Confucius student.
When you read it, perhaps, what Tolstoy wanted to imply in this story is that whenever a person comes to the point that he questions about the hypothetical question whether God exists or not by virtue of idle curiosity brought about by extensive studies, reading and writing, he is bound up in agnostic views. In addition, the story simply puts that when it comes to religion, people with different religious convictions have different tongues . In other words, there could be many truths.
In harmony with the story, Richard Dawkins, the author of the best selling non-fiction, God Delusion, put it bluntly, that the world is deluded with diverse religions, here are the excerpts from the story above pictures how people with completely different convictions tend to be at sword’s points :
A Brahmin, on hearing the words spoken by the slave who believed that he feels the presence of God in his girdle , turned to him and said:
“Miserable fool! Is it possible you believe that God can be carried under a man’s girdle? There is one God–Brahma, and he is greater than the whole world, for he created it. Brahma is the One, the mighty God, and in His honour are built the temples on the Ganges’ banks, where his true priests, the Brahmins, worship him. They know the true God, and none but they. A thousand score of years have passed, and yet through revolution after revolution these priests have held their sway, because Brahma, the one true God, has protected them.”
So spoke the Brahmin, thinking to convince everyone; but a Jewish broker who was present replied to him, and said:
“No! the temple of the true God is not in India. Neither does God protect the Brahmin caste. The true God is not the God of the Brahmins, but of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob. None does He protect but His chosen people, the Israelites. From the commencement of the world, our nation has been beloved of Him, and ours
alone. If we are now scattered over the whole earth, it is but to try us; for God has promised that He will one day gather His people together in Jerusalem. Then, with the
Temple of Jerusalem–the wonder of the ancient world- -restored to its splendor, shall Israel be established a ruler over all nations.”
So spoke the Jew, and burst into tears. He wished to say more, but an Italian missionary who was there interrupted him.
“What you are saying is untrue,” said he to the Jew.
“You attribute injustice to God. He cannot love your nation above the rest. Nay rather, even if it be true that of old He favored the Israelites, it is now nineteen
hundred years since they angered Him, and caused Him to destroy their nation and scatter them over the earth, so that their faith makes no converts and has died out
except here and there. God shows preference to no nation, but calls all who wish to be saved to the bosom of the Catholic Church of Rome, the one outside whose
borders no salvation can be found.”
So spoke the Italian. But a Protestant minister, who happened to be present, growing pale, turned to the Catholic missionary and exclaimed:
“How can you say that salvation belongs to your religion? Those only will be saved, who serve God according to the Gospel, in spirit and in truth, as bidden by the word of Christ.”
————————————————————————————————
Such discourse showing one’s zealous devotion reminded me of the other novels which such indelible scenarios I have read such as in Life of Pi by Yann Martel:bookcover lifeofpi
The priest broke it when he said , with pride in his voice, “ Piscine is a good Christian boy. I hope to see him join our choir soon.”
His parents , the pandit and the imam looked surprised.
“ You must be mistaken . He’s a god Muslim boy. He comes without fail to Friday prayer, and his knowledge of the Holy Qu’ran is coming along nicely.” So said the imam.
His parents , the priest and the pandit looked incredulous.
The pandit spoke. “You’re both wrong. He ‘s a good Hindu boy. I see him all the time at the temple coming for darsham and performing puja.”
My parents, the imam and the priests looked astounded.
“ There is no mistake , “ said the priest. “ I know this boy. He is Priscine Molitor Patel and he’s a Christian.”
“ I know him too and I tell you he’s a Muslim. “ asserted the imam.
“ Nonsense! “cried the pandit. “ Piscine was born a Hindu, lives a Hindu and will die a Hindu! “
The three wise men stared at each other, breathless and disbelieving.
—————————————————————————————————–
And this is how each brainwashed perplexed Piscine:
“ Piscine, can this be true?” asked the imam earnestly. “ Hindus and Christians are idolaters . They have many gods.””
“ And Muslims have many wives, “ responded the pandit.
The priest looked askance at both of them.
“ Piscine, “ he nearly whispered , “ there is salvation only in Jesus.”
“ Balderdash! Christians know nothing about religion, “ sad the pandit.
“ They strayed long ago from God’ path, “ said the imam.
“ Where ‘s God in your religion?” snapped he priest. “ You don’t have a single mirace to show for it. What kind of religion I sthat, without miracles?”
“ It isn’t a circus wth dead people juping out og tombs all the time, that’s what! We muslims stick to he essential miracle of existence. Birds flyin, rain falling, crops growing- these are miracles enough for us.”
“ Feathers aan drain are all very nice, but w elike to know that God I strully with us.”
“ Is that so ? Well, a whole lot of good it did God to be with you- you tried to kill him! You bagged him to a cross with great big nails. Is that a civilized way to treat a prophet? The prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him- brought us the word of God without any undignifies nonsense and died at a ripe old age.”
——————————————————————————————————-
And in this part on how each slandered one another”
“ God is universal,” spluttered the priest.
The imam nodded strong approval. “ There is only one God .”
“ And with their one god Muslim are always causing troubles an provoking riots. The proof of how bad Islam is, is how uncivilized Muslims are, “ pronounced the pandit.
“ Says the slave-driver of the calf lovers. They kneel before cows, “ the priest chimed in.
“ While Christians kneel before a Whiteman! They are the flunkies of a foreign god. They are the night mare of all non-white people.”
“ And they eat pigs and are cannibals. “ added the imam for good measure.
“ What it comes down to, “ the priest put out with cool rage , “ is where Piscine wants real religion- or myths from a cartoon strip.”
“ God – or idols, “ intoned the imam gravely.
“ Our gods- or colonial gods, “ hissed the pandit.
——————————————————————————————————————
Admit it , the two scenarios above usually occur in a place and among people with different religious convictions.
Since it is now my third Tolstoy marathon, the longer I read his other short stories, the more it comes to me that Leo Tolstoy’s religious viewpoints, probably suppressed by his restricted atmosphere then, were sublimated through writing novels, novellas, or short stories. Thus, I may infer , in my humble opinion, that probably Tolstoy was an agnostic.
It is now my third Tolstoy’s short story, and I have noticed that most of the themes of his stories mainly deal with religion. In fact, atheists and religious apologists have still been debating whether Leo Tolstoy is considered theistic or agnostic, or probably atheistic. Perhaps they deduce their standpoints from Tolstoy’s ‘literary writings. In this short story, although abstract, it could be interpreted that he was agnostic.
A learned Persian theologian ended up perplexed about his religious conviction that there was no higher Reason controlling the universe after a long period of studies about the nature of Deity and reading and writing books. Subsequently, he was banished from Persia when The Shah heard of this.
The central story began in a coffee shop when the theologian asked his slave whether there is God, which provoked passionately heated arguments at a time of some guests with different religions in the same coffee house upon hearing the theologian’s opinion. But all the rage in the story is the tale of a Confucius student.
When you read it, perhaps, what Tolstoy wanted to imply in this story is that whenever a person comes to the point that he questions about the hypothetical question whether God exists or not by virtue of idle curiosity brought about by extensive studies, reading and writing, he is bound up in agnostic views. In addition, the story simply puts that when it comes to religion, people with different religious convictions have different tongues . In other words, there could be many truths.
In harmony with the story, Richard Dawkins, the author of the best selling non-fiction, God Delusion, put it bluntly, that the world is deluded with diverse religions, here are the excerpts from the story above pictures how people with completely different convictions tend to be at sword’s points :
A Brahmin, on hearing the words spoken by the slave who believed that he feels the presence of God in his girdle , turned to him and said:
“Miserable fool! Is it possible you believe that God can be carried under a man’s girdle? There is one God–Brahma, and he is greater than the whole world, for he created it. Brahma is the One, the mighty God, and in His honour are built the temples on the Ganges’ banks, where his true priests, the Brahmins, worship him. They know the true God, and none but they. A thousand score of years have passed, and yet through revolution after revolution these priests have held their sway, because Brahma, the one true God, has protected them.”
So spoke the Brahmin, thinking to convince everyone; but a Jewish broker who was present replied to him, and said:
“No! the temple of the true God is not in India. Neither does God protect the Brahmin caste. The true God is not the God of the Brahmins, but of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob. None does He protect but His chosen people, the Israelites. From the commencement of the world, our nation has been beloved of Him, and ours
alone. If we are now scattered over the whole earth, it is but to try us; for God has promised that He will one day gather His people together in Jerusalem. Then, with the
Temple of Jerusalem–the wonder of the ancient world- -restored to its splendor, shall Israel be established a ruler over all nations.”
So spoke the Jew, and burst into tears. He wished to say more, but an Italian missionary who was there interrupted him.
“What you are saying is untrue,” said he to the Jew.
“You attribute injustice to God. He cannot love your nation above the rest. Nay rather, even if it be true that of old He favored the Israelites, it is now nineteen
hundred years since they angered Him, and caused Him to destroy their nation and scatter them over the earth, so that their faith makes no converts and has died out
except here and there. God shows preference to no nation, but calls all who wish to be saved to the bosom of the Catholic Church of Rome, the one outside whose
borders no salvation can be found.”
So spoke the Italian. But a Protestant minister, who happened to be present, growing pale, turned to the Catholic missionary and exclaimed:
“How can you say that salvation belongs to your religion? Those only will be saved, who serve God according to the Gospel, in spirit and in truth, as bidden by the word of Christ.”
————————————————————————————————
Such discourse showing one’s zealous devotion reminded me of the other novels which such indelible scenarios I have read such as in Life of Pi by Yann Martel:bookcover lifeofpi
The priest broke it when he said , with pride in his voice, “ Piscine is a good Christian boy. I hope to see him join our choir soon.”
His parents , the pandit and the imam looked surprised.
“ You must be mistaken . He’s a god Muslim boy. He comes without fail to Friday prayer, and his knowledge of the Holy Qu’ran is coming along nicely.” So said the imam.
His parents , the priest and the pandit looked incredulous.
The pandit spoke. “You’re both wrong. He ‘s a good Hindu boy. I see him all the time at the temple coming for darsham and performing puja.”
My parents, the imam and the priests looked astounded.
“ There is no mistake , “ said the priest. “ I know this boy. He is Priscine Molitor Patel and he’s a Christian.”
“ I know him too and I tell you he’s a Muslim. “ asserted the imam.
“ Nonsense! “cried the pandit. “ Piscine was born a Hindu, lives a Hindu and will die a Hindu! “
The three wise men stared at each other, breathless and disbelieving.
—————————————————————————————————–
And this is how each brainwashed perplexed Piscine:
“ Piscine, can this be true?” asked the imam earnestly. “ Hindus and Christians are idolaters . They have many gods.””
“ And Muslims have many wives, “ responded the pandit.
The priest looked askance at both of them.
“ Piscine, “ he nearly whispered , “ there is salvation only in Jesus.”
“ Balderdash! Christians know nothing about religion, “ sad the pandit.
“ They strayed long ago from God’ path, “ said the imam.
“ Where ‘s God in your religion?” snapped he priest. “ You don’t have a single mirace to show for it. What kind of religion I sthat, without miracles?”
“ It isn’t a circus wth dead people juping out og tombs all the time, that’s what! We muslims stick to he essential miracle of existence. Birds flyin, rain falling, crops growing- these are miracles enough for us.”
“ Feathers aan drain are all very nice, but w elike to know that God I strully with us.”
“ Is that so ? Well, a whole lot of good it did God to be with you- you tried to kill him! You bagged him to a cross with great big nails. Is that a civilized way to treat a prophet? The prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him- brought us the word of God without any undignifies nonsense and died at a ripe old age.”
——————————————————————————————————-
And in this part on how each slandered one another”
“ God is universal,” spluttered the priest.
The imam nodded strong approval. “ There is only one God .”
“ And with their one god Muslim are always causing troubles an provoking riots. The proof of how bad Islam is, is how uncivilized Muslims are, “ pronounced the pandit.
“ Says the slave-driver of the calf lovers. They kneel before cows, “ the priest chimed in.
“ While Christians kneel before a Whiteman! They are the flunkies of a foreign god. They are the night mare of all non-white people.”
“ And they eat pigs and are cannibals. “ added the imam for good measure.
“ What it comes down to, “ the priest put out with cool rage , “ is where Piscine wants real religion- or myths from a cartoon strip.”
“ God – or idols, “ intoned the imam gravely.
“ Our gods- or colonial gods, “ hissed the pandit.
——————————————————————————————————————
Admit it , the two scenarios above usually occur in a place and among people with different religious convictions.
Since it is now my third Tolstoy marathon, the longer I read his other short stories, the more it comes to me that Leo Tolstoy’s religious viewpoints, probably suppressed by his restricted atmosphere then, were sublimated through writing novels, novellas, or short stories. Thus, I may infer , in my humble opinion, that probably Tolstoy was an agnostic.
September 15, 2023
Så religiös
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September 20, 2024علامت سؤال گذاشتم چون احساسات جورواجوری نسبت بهش دارم و حقیقتاً نمیدونم میخوام چه امتیازی بهش بدم 🤷♂️
? / 5 ⭐️
? / 5 ⭐️
December 27, 2024
2.5 stars
February 11, 2023
My grandfather(May his soul rest in eternal peace) was a man whom todate i consider him 'the most knowledgeable and intelligent man i've ever know'. I liked conversing with him since i was teenager, good thing with him, he was a good listener, argumentative and very tolerant and resonate. He was very good story teller. Most of his stories will make you think even for days. Reading Tolstoy's short stories (well i read What men lives by and How much land does a man need), reminded me of him a lot. If you're not a fun of short stories, then Tolstoy will make you one.
In this story, Tolstoy made Christian, 'African traditionalist—dont think this is a proper way of referring African religions) Hindu, Muslim, 'Geographer', Confucian come together and argue about their religious beliefs though I don't know whom i liked among them (probably after a reread it will know).
In this story, Tolstoy made Christian, 'African traditionalist—dont think this is a proper way of referring African religions) Hindu, Muslim, 'Geographer', Confucian come together and argue about their religious beliefs though I don't know whom i liked among them (probably after a reread it will know).
January 18, 2020
Tolstoy writes extensively about religion and the fact that everyone has their own version of God. Using an anecdote of Sun, he explains the worldview that everyone has their own version of God but above all, Love and Humanity triumphs everything else. Leo's agnostic beliefs are seen in this short story.
October 9, 2025
This story makes me remember the time when i was in junior high school, the very first moment i got engaged with philosophy. I was raised in a very religious family, but to be honest, they concept of God wasn’t clear. My family only know how to follow, and not even tried to understand, and explain the history and the meaning of the rituals behind this specific religion. They said that we only need to follow, i was only a kid and i know nothing, they said, but why can’t they explain? Even they don’t know nothing about what they believe in.
So i studied about another religion through the high school. Bible and Dammaphada, theology, the branch of beliefs: Greek, Egypt, Mesopotamia, etc. I knew that there is one that rules over the universe, but i don‘t know which one is right. Till the day i have to accepted that this is where the faith comes in. By social norm, religion was always a very good horse to ride, to control the society and people. So behind that, do we really need to study God? Or actually what we actually have to do is to believe?
God is real, and this statement was born from faith. That means i‘m giving up my pride in studying God and more giving myself the grace to understanding; my mind keep thinking what it can’t handle. It’s really bad to be an ignorant believer. I don’t want to be like my family, but perhaps i could take a chance to be wise. For my faith is in my own hands, and i know that this is what i believe in, whilst not accepting the stubbornness and arrogance overcoming my heart.
So i studied about another religion through the high school. Bible and Dammaphada, theology, the branch of beliefs: Greek, Egypt, Mesopotamia, etc. I knew that there is one that rules over the universe, but i don‘t know which one is right. Till the day i have to accepted that this is where the faith comes in. By social norm, religion was always a very good horse to ride, to control the society and people. So behind that, do we really need to study God? Or actually what we actually have to do is to believe?
God is real, and this statement was born from faith. That means i‘m giving up my pride in studying God and more giving myself the grace to understanding; my mind keep thinking what it can’t handle. It’s really bad to be an ignorant believer. I don’t want to be like my family, but perhaps i could take a chance to be wise. For my faith is in my own hands, and i know that this is what i believe in, whilst not accepting the stubbornness and arrogance overcoming my heart.
April 5, 2024
For 74 pages this book teaches its reader two main important things, in my opinion.
First, you might think that this book talks about religion but it’s actually talking about how human beings will always try to draw ‘god’ based on their limited beliefs, information they have, the people they’ve talked to or the place in which they live in and we will always be arguing about it. Just like the characters in this coffee shop, each had their own thoughts, perceptions, conclusions about the sun and what they think is right. Unfortunately, this is something that will always be part of our society.
With that, Tolstoy reiterates his second point (at least from my standpoint) , just like that blind man at the end, we can resolve things by taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. By just simply looking at a certain issue or belief, free of biases and preconceived notions, we can understand it better.
So yeah, as Tolstoy says: take a step back, look at the bigger picture in a more objective lens, and then, you will understand that no matter how different we are, how varied our thoughts are, we’re actually trying to reach the same destination in the end.
First, you might think that this book talks about religion but it’s actually talking about how human beings will always try to draw ‘god’ based on their limited beliefs, information they have, the people they’ve talked to or the place in which they live in and we will always be arguing about it. Just like the characters in this coffee shop, each had their own thoughts, perceptions, conclusions about the sun and what they think is right. Unfortunately, this is something that will always be part of our society.
With that, Tolstoy reiterates his second point (at least from my standpoint) , just like that blind man at the end, we can resolve things by taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. By just simply looking at a certain issue or belief, free of biases and preconceived notions, we can understand it better.
So yeah, as Tolstoy says: take a step back, look at the bigger picture in a more objective lens, and then, you will understand that no matter how different we are, how varied our thoughts are, we’re actually trying to reach the same destination in the end.
Read
December 28, 202228.12.2022
March 7, 2025
‘The higher a man’s conception of God, the better will he know Him. And the better he knows God, the nearer he will draw to Him, imitating His goodness, His mercy, and His love of man. Therefore, let him who sees the sun’s whole light filling the world, refrain from blaming or despising the superstitious man, who in his own idol sees one ray of that same light. Let him not despise even the unbeliever who is blind and cannot see the sun at all.’
July 7, 2024
தமது மதமே உயர்ந்தது தாங்கள் பின்பற்றும் கடவுளே உண்மையானவர் என்று எண்ணுபவர்கள் ஒரு காஃபி கடையில் சந்தித்து மதத்தை பற்றி விவாதித்தால் எப்படியிருக்கும்? என்பதை பின்புலமாக கொண்டு எழுதப்பட்ட கதை. கிட்டத்தட்ட சமூக வலைத்தளங்களில் நிகழும் சண்டைகள் போல் நகர்ந்து மதங்களிடையே சகிப்புத்தன்மையை வலியுறுத்தி நிறைவுறும் வகையில் இயல்பாகவும் சுருக்கமாகவும் எழுதப்பட்டிருக்கிறது.
August 10, 2016
I read this piece at the time that my belief in the Universality of God has been firmly established. Tolstoy uses a debate among customers in a small coffee shop to establish a fact that God is in every religion; and even in the hearts and consciences of unbelievers.
At the Coffee House of Surat, people of different faiths were engaged in a debate on which religion serves the true God. Meanwhile a Chinaman, the student of Confucius, sat at the end of the room, quietly listening to the debate. After a heated debate, everyone asked for the opinion of the Chinaman. He then told them a story about a group of travelers who engaged themselves in a debate about what the sun is made of. At the end, a Pilot told his own story of his impressions of the sun, and exposed the ignorance of the other travelers.
At the heart of this story lies Tolstoy's firm belief that all religions of the world are a means to one and the same God.
At the Coffee House of Surat, people of different faiths were engaged in a debate on which religion serves the true God. Meanwhile a Chinaman, the student of Confucius, sat at the end of the room, quietly listening to the debate. After a heated debate, everyone asked for the opinion of the Chinaman. He then told them a story about a group of travelers who engaged themselves in a debate about what the sun is made of. At the end, a Pilot told his own story of his impressions of the sun, and exposed the ignorance of the other travelers.
At the heart of this story lies Tolstoy's firm belief that all religions of the world are a means to one and the same God.
December 31, 2018
The coffee House of Surat is a short story about the eternal conflict between religions. It basically is a dispute upon various faiths, which every character defined and defends his belief in a coffee House in India. However, the main point of the writer is clear, it doesn't matter which religion is the truth one, but to seek to a transcendent unity of all religions. Therefore, what is matter in the sight of the writer it's to imitate the concept of God and his goodness and treat other people with love and mercy and tenderness regardless of their beliefs with an allegory by the chinaman involving the sun makes the audience silent in the coffee house. So that what makes the story pleasure to read.
June 7, 2018
A very thought provoking story about religious tolerance and pride. It shows that people always like to think that god is only theirs. But in reality, god is like the sun. It shines light everywhere and everything including the earth and other planets revolve around it. My favourite quote from here is,
“Can any temple compare with that which God Himself has built to unite all men in one faith and one religion?
“All human temples are built on the model of this temple, which is God’s own world.”
“Can any temple compare with that which God Himself has built to unite all men in one faith and one religion?
“All human temples are built on the model of this temple, which is God’s own world.”
January 22, 2020
In this world where there's religious intolerance, this short story by Leo Tolstoy written 1893 of a fictional coffeehouse in Surat and a discussion that takes place among people of different faiths debating whose God is greater is a masterpiece!! As he says, "it is pride that causes discord among men. Each man wants a special God of his own." Read about Confucius for the first time here
December 19, 2025
This was an interesting read + i’ve figured
out reading short stories is a better alternative than choosing& reading a thriller, to maintain your daily reading goal and/or get out of a reading slump!
This short story is barely 10 pages yet carries the weight of a philosophical argument that stretches across eons of humanity, certainty, doubt, ego & the human obsession with always being “right”. Tolstoy here takes smth as mundane as a gathering in a coffee house and turns it into a depiction of how people argue about God while knowing very little about Him. It is basically less about ‘who He is’ and more about ‘who i think maybe He is and should be’.
Something i noticed tho was how the theologian himself stays quiet, more like he restrained himself actually w out adding to the chaos of opinions going around by each representative lol. This actually showed how despite being a theologian he was tired or done w explaining anything at all.. smth else also is how he stayed quiet throughout everyone talking and decides to even intervene only when the muslim starts talking and mentions about omar(ra) [persian theologian is a shi’ite apparently], which once again goes to show the human barging in only&when to defend his sect or personal view rather than defending His existence which the hindu,jew,christian were all yapping away about according to whatever pertains to them before the muslim spoke.
Anyhow as a muslim, the message lands even more clearly. We already have a framework for truth , حقّ is not relative, not up for reinvention or watering down to palatable levels depending on what society likes how you or i want to reshape it according to our nafs&selfish desires or whims and watching the characters debate endlessly&aimlessly reminded me of {2:256}, truth is simple, but its people who complicate it w their own desires, sectarian pride& the need to feel superior :]
Also another weird thing is how tolstoy also uses the classic chinese man, the “philosophical” zen-like figure, to settle the debate ultimately. This is a recurring pattern ive personally noticed in western literature& discourse in general ig that whenever religious arguments happen, the “eastern sage” steps in w calm, vague, non-committal wisdom that sounds profound because it offends no one in any way, shape or form.
Basically this ‘guru’ aint tied to revelation, scripture, or an absolute claim, so he becomes the neutral ground everyone can somewhat agree to.
However i DO understand its tolstoy & not tahir or taqi sahb writing this so the choice is obvious, plus that islam cannot play the role of the neutral mediator in a story like this anyways because islam doesn’t say “everyone is right.” But the zen-style figure can, and also somehow refrain from any sort of furthermore correction. It is this very ambiguity that gives the illusion of balance, and westerners in general love using this to end stories ‘peacefully’[more like intellect supression lol]. Anyways interesting to notice how predictable this trope is once you see it!
Would recommend for as a short pondering philosophical short story read💯
out reading short stories is a better alternative than choosing& reading a thriller, to maintain your daily reading goal and/or get out of a reading slump!
This short story is barely 10 pages yet carries the weight of a philosophical argument that stretches across eons of humanity, certainty, doubt, ego & the human obsession with always being “right”. Tolstoy here takes smth as mundane as a gathering in a coffee house and turns it into a depiction of how people argue about God while knowing very little about Him. It is basically less about ‘who He is’ and more about ‘who i think maybe He is and should be’.
Something i noticed tho was how the theologian himself stays quiet, more like he restrained himself actually w out adding to the chaos of opinions going around by each representative lol. This actually showed how despite being a theologian he was tired or done w explaining anything at all.. smth else also is how he stayed quiet throughout everyone talking and decides to even intervene only when the muslim starts talking and mentions about omar(ra) [persian theologian is a shi’ite apparently], which once again goes to show the human barging in only&when to defend his sect or personal view rather than defending His existence which the hindu,jew,christian were all yapping away about according to whatever pertains to them before the muslim spoke.
Anyhow as a muslim, the message lands even more clearly. We already have a framework for truth , حقّ is not relative, not up for reinvention or watering down to palatable levels depending on what society likes how you or i want to reshape it according to our nafs&selfish desires or whims and watching the characters debate endlessly&aimlessly reminded me of {2:256}, truth is simple, but its people who complicate it w their own desires, sectarian pride& the need to feel superior :]
Also another weird thing is how tolstoy also uses the classic chinese man, the “philosophical” zen-like figure, to settle the debate ultimately. This is a recurring pattern ive personally noticed in western literature& discourse in general ig that whenever religious arguments happen, the “eastern sage” steps in w calm, vague, non-committal wisdom that sounds profound because it offends no one in any way, shape or form.
Basically this ‘guru’ aint tied to revelation, scripture, or an absolute claim, so he becomes the neutral ground everyone can somewhat agree to.
However i DO understand its tolstoy & not tahir or taqi sahb writing this so the choice is obvious, plus that islam cannot play the role of the neutral mediator in a story like this anyways because islam doesn’t say “everyone is right.” But the zen-style figure can, and also somehow refrain from any sort of furthermore correction. It is this very ambiguity that gives the illusion of balance, and westerners in general love using this to end stories ‘peacefully’[more like intellect supression lol]. Anyways interesting to notice how predictable this trope is once you see it!
Would recommend for as a short pondering philosophical short story read💯
October 12, 2025
I am proud to say that I have created this entry on Goodreads, it hadn’t been there before:
This short story is about ecumenism, tolerance and arrogance. At least that is how I see it.
You can read this story and many other great works online, on your kindle, free of charge because they are in the public domain, their copyright has expired. You can go to the Gutenberg project, or even find audio versions of many books at the Livrivox site, for instance.
http://www.online-literature.com/tols...
At this point in life, I am an atheist, but I may end up as the father-figure in Brideshead Revisited and turn into a devout Catholic, on my death bed.
Tolstoy starts his plot with a Persian theologian, who asks the ancient question:
"do you think there is a God, or not?"
"Of course there is," said the slave, and immediately drew from under
his girdle a small idol of wood.
"There," said he, "that is the God who has guarded me from the day
of my birth. Every one in our country worships the fetish tree,
from the wood of which this God was made."
This was the answer of an African slave...
From here on, we have a bitter dispute between different points of view, various religious doctrines, with a Brahmin’s view:
"Miserable fool! Is it possible you believe that God can be carried
under a man's girdle? There is one God--Brahma, and he is greater
than the whole world, for he created it. Brahma is the One, the
mighty God, and in His honour are built the temples on the Ganges'
banks, where his true priests, the Brahmins, worship him. They know
the true God, and none but they. A thousand score of years have
passed, and yet through revolution after revolution these priests
have held their sway, because Brahma, the one true God, has
protected them."
The argument was continued by a Jew:
"No! the temple of the true God is not in India. Neither does God
protect the Brahmin caste. The true God is not the God of the
Brahmins, but of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. None does He protect
but His chosen people, the Israelites. From the commencement of the
world, our nation has been beloved of Him, and ours alone. If we
are now scattered over the whole earth, it is but to try us; for God
has promised that He will one day gather His people together in
Jerusalem. Then, with the Temple of Jerusalem--the wonder of the
ancient world--restored to its splendor, shall Israel be
established a ruler over all nations."
And so it goes on:
“Each man wants to have a Special God of His Own”
Of course there is wisdom, apart from foolishness:
If we would look at the heavens instead of the ground we would understand and no longer suppose that the sun shines for us and our country alone”
This short story is about ecumenism, tolerance and arrogance. At least that is how I see it.
You can read this story and many other great works online, on your kindle, free of charge because they are in the public domain, their copyright has expired. You can go to the Gutenberg project, or even find audio versions of many books at the Livrivox site, for instance.
http://www.online-literature.com/tols...
At this point in life, I am an atheist, but I may end up as the father-figure in Brideshead Revisited and turn into a devout Catholic, on my death bed.
Tolstoy starts his plot with a Persian theologian, who asks the ancient question:
"do you think there is a God, or not?"
"Of course there is," said the slave, and immediately drew from under
his girdle a small idol of wood.
"There," said he, "that is the God who has guarded me from the day
of my birth. Every one in our country worships the fetish tree,
from the wood of which this God was made."
This was the answer of an African slave...
From here on, we have a bitter dispute between different points of view, various religious doctrines, with a Brahmin’s view:
"Miserable fool! Is it possible you believe that God can be carried
under a man's girdle? There is one God--Brahma, and he is greater
than the whole world, for he created it. Brahma is the One, the
mighty God, and in His honour are built the temples on the Ganges'
banks, where his true priests, the Brahmins, worship him. They know
the true God, and none but they. A thousand score of years have
passed, and yet through revolution after revolution these priests
have held their sway, because Brahma, the one true God, has
protected them."
The argument was continued by a Jew:
"No! the temple of the true God is not in India. Neither does God
protect the Brahmin caste. The true God is not the God of the
Brahmins, but of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. None does He protect
but His chosen people, the Israelites. From the commencement of the
world, our nation has been beloved of Him, and ours alone. If we
are now scattered over the whole earth, it is but to try us; for God
has promised that He will one day gather His people together in
Jerusalem. Then, with the Temple of Jerusalem--the wonder of the
ancient world--restored to its splendor, shall Israel be
established a ruler over all nations."
And so it goes on:
“Each man wants to have a Special God of His Own”
Of course there is wisdom, apart from foolishness:
If we would look at the heavens instead of the ground we would understand and no longer suppose that the sun shines for us and our country alone”
November 20, 2019
"The higher a man’s conception of God, the better will he know Him. And
the better he knows God, the nearer will he draw to Him, imitating His
goodness, His mercy, and His love of man.
‘Therefore, let him who sees the sun’s whole light filling the world, refrain
from blaming or despising the superstitious man, who in his own idol sees
one ray of that same light. Let him not despise even the unbeliever who is
blind and cannot see the sun at all.’
So spoke the Chinaman, the student of Confucius; and all who were present
in the coffee-house were silent, and disputed no more as to whose faith was
the best."
the better he knows God, the nearer will he draw to Him, imitating His
goodness, His mercy, and His love of man.
‘Therefore, let him who sees the sun’s whole light filling the world, refrain
from blaming or despising the superstitious man, who in his own idol sees
one ray of that same light. Let him not despise even the unbeliever who is
blind and cannot see the sun at all.’
So spoke the Chinaman, the student of Confucius; and all who were present
in the coffee-house were silent, and disputed no more as to whose faith was
the best."
September 20, 2024
لاحظت تأثر ليو تولستوى بالادب والحكايات الدينية الاسلامية مما دفعنى الى البحث لاجد انه قد قرأ الف ليلة وليلة والتراث العربى بل بالعكس اوصى بان التراث العربى وحكاياته يجب ان تروى وتحكى لروعتها
هذه القصة ذكرتنى بقصة تروى فى التراث الاسلامى وبحثت لاجد ان له قصص كثيرة تتحث عن الرسول الكريم وعن الاسلام مما قد جعل البعد يجزم بانه اسلم فى اواخر ايامه وبفض النظر عن صحة هذا الاعتقاد او خطؤه فمما لا شك فيه ان ادبه يدعو الى السلم والمحبة والايمان بالله الحق النابع من القلب
فقصة حياته ملهمة لهذا الارستقراطى الفيلسوف الذى بحث عن الحقيقة حتى وجدها فى نفسه وكان ملهما فى كتاباته لاشخر شخصيات القرن العشرين مثل المهاتما غاندى ومارتن لوثر كينج
هذه القصة ذكرتنى بقصة تروى فى التراث الاسلامى وبحثت لاجد ان له قصص كثيرة تتحث عن الرسول الكريم وعن الاسلام مما قد جعل البعد يجزم بانه اسلم فى اواخر ايامه وبفض النظر عن صحة هذا الاعتقاد او خطؤه فمما لا شك فيه ان ادبه يدعو الى السلم والمحبة والايمان بالله الحق النابع من القلب
فقصة حياته ملهمة لهذا الارستقراطى الفيلسوف الذى بحث عن الحقيقة حتى وجدها فى نفسه وكان ملهما فى كتاباته لاشخر شخصيات القرن العشرين مثل المهاتما غاندى ومارتن لوثر كينج
May 28, 2024
The Coffee House of Surat is Tolstoy's translation of the original story by Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pier. This parable-hued tale highlights man's relationship with his faith and his view on the faiths of others. the underlying thread - is it pride that stops us from agreeing on matters of faith of others?
Why set the story in a coffee house, I wonder? Perhaps the author recognises the tempering effect of the beverage on the most explosive conversations.
Why set the story in a coffee house, I wonder? Perhaps the author recognises the tempering effect of the beverage on the most explosive conversations.
April 30, 2019
Amazing story... (I've heard different versions of this story before, those might be inspired from this IDK)
"It is pride that causes error and discord among men. As with the sun so it is with God. Each man wants to have a special God of his own, or at least a special God for his native land. Each nation wishes to confine in its own temples Him whom the world cannot contain."
"It is pride that causes error and discord among men. As with the sun so it is with God. Each man wants to have a special God of his own, or at least a special God for his native land. Each nation wishes to confine in its own temples Him whom the world cannot contain."
January 26, 2021
Tek kelime ile muazzam bir kitaptı. Çok kısa bir kitap olmasına rağmen tanrı ve dinlere bakış açınızı genişletecek bir kitap olduğunu düşünüyorum. Tolstoy’da kendimden bir şeyler bulmak mutluluk vericiydi. Kitabın Türkçe adı “Surat Kahvehanesi” sitede Türkçe hali olmadığı için İngilizcesini işaretledim.
December 9, 2020
Godt fortalt og god historie (oplæsningen er ikke helt god), har også interessante og tolerante teologiske debatter, men i sidste ende er det jo udtryk for irrationel religiøse dogmer om at man skal tro på gud uden beviser.
November 3, 2022
Wow! What a lovely story!
Leo Tolstoy's liberal thinking is more valid, as seen in this short novel and the book A letter to Hindu.
This is the second Tolstoy book I have seen, the shades of India in it. The first book was A letter to Hindu.
Leo Tolstoy's liberal thinking is more valid, as seen in this short novel and the book A letter to Hindu.
This is the second Tolstoy book I have seen, the shades of India in it. The first book was A letter to Hindu.
October 28, 2023
This is a very short story, full of teachings. One and the most evident is about God and different religions. Other is about people and different cultures. An embedded one is about acceptance of diversity. In just a few pages, one discovers an entire philosophy of life.
November 20, 2024
“Let him not despise even the unbeliever who is blind and cannot see the sun at all.”
Excerpt From
What Men Live By and Other Tales
Leo Tolstoy
https://books.apple.com/us/book/what-...
This material may be protected by copyright.
Excerpt From
What Men Live By and Other Tales
Leo Tolstoy
https://books.apple.com/us/book/what-...
This material may be protected by copyright.
August 24, 2017
Convencing, amazing and simple !
April 23, 2020
A beautiful story to understand the reality of humanism against religions.
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