(November 16, 1800, or 1801, to Wegeler.)
191. “I recognize no other accomplishments or advantages than those which place one amongst the better class of men; where I find them, there is my home.”
(Teplitz, July 17, 1812, to his little admirer, Emile M., in H.)
192. “From childhood I learned to love virtue, and everything beautiful and good.”
(About 1808, to Frau Marie Bigot.)
193. “It is one of my foremost principles never to occupy any other relations than those of friendship with the wife of another man. I should never want to fill my heart with distrust towards those who may chance some day to share my fate with me, and thus destroy the loveliest and purest life for myself.”
(About 1808, to Frau Marie Bigot, after she had declined his invitation
to drive with him.)
194. “In my solitude here I miss my roommate, at least at evening and noon, when the human animal is obliged to assimilate that which is necessary to the production of the intellectual, and which I prefer to do in company with another.”
(Teplitz, September 6, 1811, to Tiedge.)
195. “It was not intentional and premeditated malice which led me to act toward you as I did; it was my unpardonable carelessness.”