Is it true that Leo Tolstoy is the author of the aphorism “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel”?

A catchphrase that Russian liberals love to quote is often attributed to Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy. We checked whether its authorship really belongs to the great Russian writer.

References to Tolstoy in connection with this phrase were made by such public people as the politician Oleg Smolin, poet Alexander Mezhirov, prose writer Yulian Semyonov (who did this in three different novels), famous dissident Sergey Kovalev and many others. Question “What was the meaning of L. Tolstoy’s famous aphorism “Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels”?” even became a topic for sketch at the entrance exam to the Gorky Literary Institute.

And indeed, this phrase (with a rearrangement of words) is found in Lev Nikolaevich’s essay entitled “The Reading Circle.” But the work is a collage of aphorisms by figures from different eras and schools of thought. In particular, under this quote there is signature "Johnson". If you look at various English-language publications XIX century, where this phrase is quoted, then almost everywhere you will find a reference to the words of the famous writer Samuel Johnson, whose name, according to Britannica, became for future generations a kind of synonym for the concept of “the second half of the 18th century.” The earliest mention of the phrase is in James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson, published in 1791:

“Patriotism became one of the topics of our conversation, and Johnson suddenly uttered in a strong and decisive tone an aphorism that many will attack: “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” But it must be assumed that he did not mean a real and generous love for our country, but that feigned patriotism that so many at all times and in all countries have made a cover for personal interests.”

Johnson's remark in question is dated April 7, 1775 in the book, and this date, along with the authorship, has since been assigned to it in reputable sources. It is noted that at the meeting of the Literary Club described by Boswell, Johnson did not criticize patriotism as such, it was about its incorrect use.

Thus, although Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy used this quote, its real author is Samuel Johnson.

Incorrect quote attribution

What do our verdicts mean?

Read on topic:

1. https://arzamas.academy/materials/161

2. http://tolstoy-lit.ru/tolstoy/proza/krug-chteniya/9-15-dekabrya.htm

3. http://www.samueljohnson.com/refuge.html