(Vienna, June 29, 1800, to Wegeler, in Bonn, writing of his return to
his native land.)
186. “Perhaps the only thing that looks like genius about me is that my affairs are not always in the best of order, and that in this respect nobody can be of help but myself.”
(April 22, 1801, to Hofmeister, in Leipzig excusing himself for
dilatoriness in sending him these compositions: the Pianoforte sonata
op. 22, the symphony op. 21, the septet op. 20 and the concerto op. 19.)
187. “I am free from all small vanities. Only in the divine art is the lever which gives me power to sacrifice the best part of my life to the celestial muses.”
(September 9, 1824, to George Nigeli, in Zurich.)
188. “Inasmuch as the purpose of the undersigned throughout his career has not been selfish but the promotion of the interests of art, the elevation of popular taste and the flight of his own genius toward loftier ideals and perfection, it was inevitable that he should frequently sacrifice his own advantages and profit to the muse.”
(December, 1804, to the Director of the Court Theatre, applying for an
engagement which was never effected.)
189. “From my earliest childhood my zeal to serve suffering humanity with my art was never content with any kind of a subterfuge; and no other reward is needed than the internal satisfaction which always accompanies such a deed.”
(To Procurator Varenna, who had asked him for compositions to be played
at a charity concert in Graz.)
190. “There is no greater pleasure for me than to practice and exhibit my art.”