(Diary, 1812-18.)
286. “When friends get into a quarrel it is always best not to call in
an intermediary, but to have friend turn to friend direct.”
(Vienna, November 2, 1793, to Eleonore von Breuning, of Bonn.)
287. “There are reasons for the conduct of men which one is not always
willing to explain, but which, nevertheless, are based on ineradicable
necessity.”
(In 1815, to Brauchle.)
288. “I was formerly inconsiderate and hasty in the expression of my
opinions, and thereby I made enemies. Now I pass judgment on no one,
and, indeed, for the reason that I do not wish to do any one harm.
Moreover, in the last instance I always think: if it is something decent
it will maintain itself in spite of all attack and envy; if there is
nothing good and sound at the bottom of it, it will fall to pieces of
itself, bolster it up as one may.”
(In a conversation with Tomaschek, in October, 1814.)
289. “Even the most sacred friendship may harbor secrets, but you ought
not to misinterpret the secret of a friend because you can not guess
it.”
(About 1808, to Frau Marie Bigot.)
290. “You are happy; it is my wish that you remain so, for every man is
best placed in his sphere.”
(Bonn, July 13, 1825, to his brother Johann, landowner in Gneisendorf.)