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

AUGUST 8.

Believe me, dear Wilhelm, I did not allude to you when I spoke so severely of

those who advise resignation to inevitable fate. I did not think it possible for you

to  indulge  such  a  sentiment.  But  in  fact  you  are  right.  I  only  suggest  one

objection. In this world one is seldom reduced to make a selection between two

alternatives.  There  are  as  many  varieties  of  conduct  and  opinion  as  there  are

---

turns of feature between an aquiline nose and a flat one.

You  will,  therefore,  permit  me  to  concede  your  entire  argument,  and  yet

contrive means to escape your dilemma.

Your  position  is  this,  I  hear  you  say:  “Either  you  have  hopes  of  obtaining

Charlotte,  or  you  have  none.  Well,  in  the  first  case,  pursue  your  course,  and

press on to the fulfilment of your wishes. In the second, be a man, and shake off

a miserable passion, which will enervate and destroy you.” My dear friend, this

is well and easily said.

But would you require a wretched being, whose life is slowly wasting under a

lingering  disease,  to  despatch  himself  at  once  by  the  stroke  of  a  dagger?  Does

not the very disorder which consumes his strength deprive him of the courage to

effect his deliverance?

You may answer me, if you please, with a similar analogy, “Who would not

prefer  the  amputation  of  an  arm  to  the  periling  of  life  by  doubt  and

procrastination!”  But  I  know  not  if  I  am  right,  and  let  us  leave  these

comparisons.

Enough! There are moments, Wilhelm, when I could rise up and shake it all

off, and when, if I only knew where to go, I could fly from this place.