181. “My nobility is here, and here (pointing to his heart and head).”
(Reported by Schindler. In the lawsuit against his sister-in-law (the
mother of nephew Karl) Beethoven had been called on to prove that the
“van” in his name was a badge of nobility.)
182. “You write that somebody has said that I am the natural son of the late King of Prussia. The same thing was said to me long ago, but I have made it a rule never to write anything about myself or answer anything that is said about me.”
(October 7, 1826, to Wegeler.)
[“I leave it to you to give the world an account of myself and especially my mother.” The statement had appeared in Brockhaus’s “Lexicon.”]
183. “To me the highest thing, after God, is my honor.”
(July 26, 1822, to the publisher Peters, in Leipzig.)
184. “I have never thought of writing for reputation and honor. What I have in my heart must out; that is the reason why I compose.”
(Remark to Karl Czerny, reported in his autobiography.)
185. “I do not desire that you shall esteem me greater as an artist, but better and more perfect as a man; when the condition of our country is somewhat better, then my art shall be devoted to the welfare of the poor.”