All 50 Uses of
contrary
in
War and Peace
- Anna Pavlovna Scherer on the contrary, despite her forty years, overflowed with animation and impulsiveness.†
Chpt 1 (definition 1) *
- Helene was so lovely that not only did she not show any trace of coquetry, but on the contrary she even appeared shy of her unquestionable and all too victorious beauty.†
Chpt 1 (definition 1)
- His features were like his sister's, but while in her case everything was lit up by a joyous, self-satisfied, youthful, and constant smile of animation, and by the wonderful classic beauty of her figure, his face on the contrary was dulled by imbecility and a constant expression of sullen self-confidence, while his body was thin and weak.†
Chpt 1 (definition 1)
- On the contrary.†
Chpt 1 (definition 1)
- Boris on the contrary at once found his footing, and related quietly and humorously how he had known that doll Mimi when she was still quite a young lady, before her nose was broken; how she had aged during the five years he had known her, and how her head had cracked right across the skull.†
Chpt 1 (definition 1)
- But the smile did not enhance Vera's beauty as smiles generally do; on the contrary it gave her an unnatural, and therefore unpleasant, expression.†
Chpt 1 (definition 1)
- "On the contrary," replied the prince, who had plainly become depressed, "I shall be only too glad if you relieve me of that young man….†
Chpt 1 (definition 1)
- I never could understand the fondness some people have for confusing their minds by dwelling on mystical books that merely awaken their doubts and excite their imagination, giving them a bent for exaggeration quite contrary to Christian simplicity.†
Chpt 1 (definition 2)
- "On the contrary," he said, in a querulous and angry tone that contrasted with his flattering words, "on the contrary, your excellency's participation in the common action is highly valued by His Majesty; but we think the present delay is depriving the splendid Russian troops and their commander of the laurels they have been accustomed to win in their battles," he concluded his evidently prearranged sentence.†
Chpt 2 (definition 1)
- "On the contrary," he said, in a querulous and angry tone that contrasted with his flattering words, "on the contrary, your excellency's participation in the common action is highly valued by His Majesty; but we think the present delay is depriving the splendid Russian troops and their commander of the laurels they have been accustomed to win in their battles," he concluded his evidently prearranged sentence.†
Chpt 2 (definition 1)
- Then he began to imagine that the Russians were running away and that he himself was killed, but he quickly roused himself with a feeling of joy, as if learning afresh that this was not so but that on the contrary the French had run away.†
Chpt 2 (definition 1)
- Contrary to Bilibin's forecast the news he had brought was joyfully received.†
Chpt 2 (definition 2) *
- But as you are a philosopher, be a consistent one, look at the other side of the question and you will see that your duty, on the contrary, is to take care of yourself.†
Chpt 2 (definition 1)
- On the contrary, the energetic action of that battery led the French to suppose that here—in the center—the main Russian forces were concentrated.†
Chpt 2 (definition 1)
- On the contrary, he became more and more elated.†
Chpt 2 (definition 1)
- Formerly in Anna Pavlovna's presence, Pierre had always felt that what he was saying was out of place, tactless and unsuitable, that remarks which seemed to him clever while they formed in his mind became foolish as soon as he uttered them, while on the contrary Hippolyte's stupidest remarks came out clever and apt.†
Chpt 3 (definition 1)
- Prince Vasili approached first, and she kissed the bold forehead that bent over her hand and answered his question by saying that, on the contrary, she remembered him quite well.†
Chpt 3 (definition 1)
- "On the contrary, that coiffure suits the princess very well," said Prince Vasili.†
Chpt 3 (definition 1)
- At that council, contrary to the views of the old generals Kutuzov and Prince Schwartzenberg, it had been decided to advance immediately and give battle to Bonaparte.†
Chpt 3 (definition 2)
- To the joy and pride of the whole army, a personal interview was refused, and instead of the Sovereign, Prince Dolgorukov, the victor at Wischau, was sent with Savary to negotiate with Napoleon if, contrary to expectations, these negotiations were actuated by a real desire for peace.†
Chpt 3 (definition 2)
- Why negotiate, and above all why retreat, when to retreat is so contrary to his method of conducting war?†
Chpt 3 (definition 2)
- On the contrary, the soldiers became aware that in front, behind, and on all sides, other Russian columns were moving in the same direction.†
Chpt 3 (definition 1)
- These sights and sounds had no depressing or intimidating effect on him; on the contrary, they stimulated his energy and determination.†
Chpt 3 (definition 1)
- On the contrary, I am very glad to make your acquaintance," said Pierre.†
Chpt 5 (definition 1)
- The old man, roused by activity, expected the best results from the new campaign, while Prince Andrew on the contrary, taking no part in the war and secretly regretting this, saw only the dark side.†
Chpt 5 (definition 1)
- That is not cleanly," said Prince Andrew; "on the contrary one must try to make one's life as pleasant as possible.†
Chpt 5 (definition 1)
- * * "But, my dear, you ought on the contrary to be grateful to me for explaining to Pierre your intimacy with this young man."†
Chpt 5 (definition 1)
- On the contrary, I will do what I can.†
Chpt 5 (definition 1)
- In his soul there suddenly arose such an unexpected turmoil of youthful thoughts and hopes, contrary to the whole tenor of his life, that unable to explain his condition to himself he lay down and fell asleep at once.†
Chpt 6 (definition 2)
- We often think that by removing all the difficulties of our life we shall more quickly reach our aim, but on the contrary, my dear sir, it is only in the midst of worldly cares that we can attain our three chief aims: (1) Self-knowledge—for man can only know himself by comparison, (2) Self-perfecting, which can only be attained by conflict, and (3) The attainment of the chief virtue—love of death.†
Chpt 6 (definition 1)
- I set myself above him and so become much worse than he, for he is lenient to my rudeness while I on the contrary nourish contempt for him.†
Chpt 6 (definition 1)
- But on the contrary, my papa and mamma are now provided for—I have arranged that rent for them in the Baltic Provinces—and I can live in Petersburg on my pay, and with her fortune and my good management we can get along nicely.†
Chpt 6 (definition 1)
- In the midst of a conversation that was started about Napoleon's Spanish affairs, which they all agreed in approving, Prince Andrew began to express a contrary opinion.†
Chpt 6
- Contrary to his habit of being late, Pierre on that day arrived at the Bergs' house, not at ten but at fifteen minutes to eight.†
Chpt 6 (definition 2)
- On the contrary, but what dignity?†
Chpt 7 (definition 1)
- No, on the contrary, on the contrary!†
Chpt 7 (definition 1)
- No, on the contrary, on the contrary!†
Chpt 7 (definition 1)
- Julie on the contrary accepted his attentions readily, though in a manner peculiar to herself.†
Chpt 8 (definition 1)
- On the contrary….†
Chpt 8 (definition 1)
- He talked boldly and naturally, and Natasha was strangely and agreeably struck by the fact that there was nothing formidable in this man about whom there was so much talk, but that on the contrary his smile was most naive, cheerful, and good-natured.†
Chpt 8 (definition 1)
- On the contrary he gazed joyfully, his eyes moist with tears, at this bright comet which, having traveled in its orbit with inconceivable velocity through immeasurable space, seemed suddenly—like an arrow piercing the earth—to remain fixed in a chosen spot, vigorously holding its tail erect, shining and displaying its white light amid countless other scintillating stars.†
Chpt 8 (definition 1)
- Seeing, on the other side, some Cossacks (les Cosaques) and the wide-spreading steppes in the midst of which lay the holy city of Moscow (Moscou, la ville sainte), the capital of a realm such as the Scythia into which Alexander the Great had marched—Napoleon unexpectedly, and contrary alike to strategic and diplomatic considerations, ordered an advance, and the next day his army began to cross the Niemen.†
Chpt 9
- As the mazurka began, Boris saw that Adjutant General Balashev, one of those in closest attendance on the Emperor, went up to him and contrary to court etiquette stood near him while he was talking to a Polish lady.†
Chpt 9 (definition 2)
- In the contrary case, Your Majesty, I shall see myself forced to repel an attack that nothing on my part has provoked.†
Chpt 9 *
- Contrary to his expectation, Davout, after hearing him, became still surlier and ruder.†
Chpt 9 (definition 2)
- "On the contrary, Your Majesty," said Balashev, hardly able to remember what had been said to him and following these verbal fireworks with difficulty, "the troops are burning with eagerness…."†
Chpt 9 (definition 1)
- He not only showed no sign of constraint or self-reproach on account of his outburst that morning, but, on the contrary, tried to reassure Balashev.†
Chpt 9 (definition 1)
- The sixth party, the Bennigsenites, said, on the contrary, that at any rate there was no one more active and experienced than Bennigsen: "and twist about as you may, you will have to come to Bennigsen eventually.†
Chpt 9 (definition 1)
- On the contrary, the deviations made from his theory were, in his opinion, the sole cause of the whole disaster, and with characteristically gleeful sarcasm he would remark, "There, I said the whole affair would go to the devil!"†
Chpt 9 (definition 1)
- The best generals I have known were, on the contrary, stupid or absent-minded men.†
Chpt 9 (definition 1)