Beethoven, the Man and the Artist, as Revealed in His Own Words

by Ludwig van Beethoven

(In 1825, complaining of the misery caused by his domestics.)

240. “The best thing to do not to think of your malady is to keep occupied.”

(Diary, 1812-18.)

241. “It is no comfort for men of the better sort to say to them that others also suffer; but, alas! comparisons must always be made, though they only teach that we all suffer, that is err, only in different ways.”

(In 1816, to Countess Erdody, on the death of her son.)

242. “The portraits of Handel, Bach, Gluck, Mozart and Haydn in my room,—they may help me to make claim on toleration.”

(Diary, 1815-16.)

243. “God, who knows my innermost soul, and knows how sacredly I have fulfilled all the duties but upon me as man by humanity, God and nature will surely some day relieve me from these afflictions.”

(July 18, 1821, to Archduke Rudolph, from Unterubling.)

244. “Friendship and similar sentiments bring only wounds to me. Well, so be it; for you, poor Beethoven, there is no outward happiness; you must create it within you,—only in the world of ideality shall you find friends.”