(Diary, 1812-18.)
280. “The people say nothing; they are merely people. As a rule they
only see themselves in others, and what they see is nothing; away with
them! The good and the beautiful needs no people,--it exists without
outward help, and this seems to be the reason of our enduring
friendship.”
(September 16, 1812, to Amalie Sebald, in Teplitz, who had playfully
called him a tyrant.)
281. “Look, my dear Ries; these are the great connoisseurs who affect
to be able to judge of any piece of music so correctly and keenly. Give
them but the name of their favorite,--they need no more!”
(To his pupil Ries, who had, as a joke, played a mediocre march at a
gathering at Count Browne’s and announced it to be a composition by
Beethoven. When the march was praised beyond measure Beethoven broke out
into a grim laugh.)
282. “Do not let all men see the contempt which they deserve; we do not
know when we may need them.”
(Note in the Diary of 1814, after having had an unpleasant experience
with his “friend” Bertolini. “Henceforth never step inside his house;
shame on you to ask anything from such an one.”)
283. “Our Time stands in need of powerful minds who will scourge these
petty, malicious and miserable scoundrels,--much as my heart resents
doing injury to a fellow man.”
(In 1825, to his nephew, in reference to the publication of a satirical
canon on the Viennese publisher, Haslinger, by Schott, of Mayence.)
284. “Today is Sunday. Shall I read something for you from the Gospels?
‘Love ye one another!’”
(To Frau Streicher.)