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.)
291. “One must not measure the cost of the useful.”
(To his nephew Karl in a discussion touching the purchase of an
expensive book.)
292. “It is not my custom to prattle away my purposes, since every intention once betrayed is no longer one’s own.”
(To Frau Streicher.)