Delphi Collected Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe \(Illustrated\) pdfdrive com

JANUARY 8, 1772.

What  beings  are  men,  whose  whole  thoughts  are  occupied  with  form  and

ceremony, who for years together devote their mental and physical exertions to

the  task  of  advancing  themselves  but  one  step,  and  endeavouring  to  occupy  a

higher  place  at  the  table.  Not  that  such  persons  would  otherwise  want

employment: on the contrary, they give themselves much trouble by neglecting

important  business  for  such  petty  trifles.  Last  week  a  question  of  precedence

arose at a sledging-party, and all our amusement was spoiled.

The  silly  creatures  cannot  see  that  it  is  not  place  which  constitutes  real

greatness,  since  the  man  who  occupies  the  first  place  but  seldom  plays  the

principal part. How many kings are governed by their ministers — how many

ministers by their  secretaries? Who,  in such cases,  is really  the chief?  He, as  it

seems  to  me,  who  can  see  through  the  others,  and  possesses  strength  or  skill

enough to make their power or passions subservient to the execution of his own

designs.