How much land does a man need? Written by Leo Tolstoy, 1886.

An elder sister came to visit her younger sister in the country. The elder was married to a

tradesman in town, the younger to a peasant in the village. As the sisters sat over their tea

talking, the elder began to boast of the advantages of town life, saying how comfortably they lived

there, how well they dressed, what fine clothes her children wore, what good things they ate

and drank, and how she went to the theater, promenades and entertainments. The younger sister was

peaked and, in turn, disparaged the life of a tradesman and stood up for that of a peasant.

I would not change my way of life for yours," said she.

"'We may live roughly, but at least we are free from anxiety. You live in better style than we do,

but though you often earn more than you need, you are very likely to lose all you have. You know

the proverb, loss and gain are brother's twain." It often happens that people who are wealthy one

day are begging their bread the next. Our way is safer. Though a peasant's life is not a fat one,

it is a long one. We shall never grow rich, but we shall always have enough to eat."

The elder sister said sneeringly.

Enough. Yes, if you like to share with the pigs in the calves, what do you know of elegance or manners?

However much your good man may slave, you will die as you are living on a dung heap and your children

the same. Well, what of that replied the younger? Of course our work is rough and coarse, but on the

other hand it is sure, and we'd need not bow to anyone. But you and your towns are surrounded by

temptations. Today, all may be right, but tomorrow the evil one may tempt your husband with

cars, wine or women, and all will go to ruin. Don't such things happen often enough?

Pahome, the master of the house, was lying on the top of the oven, and he listened to the women's

chatter. It is perfectly true, thought he. Busy as we are from childhood, tilling, mother earth,

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