"What Men Live By, and Other Tales" is a collection of four short stories by Leo Tolstoy that explore profound philosophical and spiritual themes. Central to this collection is the title story, "What Men Live By," a narrative blending folklore and Christian ethics. It tells the story of a poor shoemaker who encounters a mysterious stranger with a divine message about the fundamental truths of human existence. This tale, like the others in the collection, delves into Tolstoy's exploration of compassion, love, and the essence of human life.

The other stories, "The Three Questions," "The Coffee-House of Surat," and "How Much Land Does a Man Need?" complement this theme by examining human nature and morality from different perspectives. They pose challenging questions about the nature of true wisdom, the diversity of religious beliefs, and the insatiable human greed, respectively. Tolstoy's masterful storytelling and deep philosophical inquiries in these stories offer insights into the complexities of life, the pursuit of happiness, and the search for spiritual understanding.