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

FEBRUARY 8.

For a week past we have had the most wretched weather: but this to me is a

blessing; for, during my residence here, not a single fine day has beamed from

the  heavens,  but  has  been  lost  to  me  by  the  intrusion  of  somebody.  During  the

---

severity  of  rain,  sleet,  frost,  and  storm,  I  congratulate  myself  that  it  cannot  be

worse  indoors  than  abroad,  nor  worse  abroad  than  it  is  within  doors;  and  so  I

become  reconciled.  When  the  sun  rises  bright  in  the  morning,  and  promises  a

glorious day, I never omit to exclaim, “There, now, they have another blessing

from  Heaven,  which  they  will  be  sure  to  destroy:  they  spoil  everything,    —

health,  fame,  happiness,  amusement;  and  they  do  this  generally  through  folly,

ignorance,  or  imbecility,  and  always,  according  to  their  own  account,  with  the

best  intentions!”  I  could  often  beseech  them,  on  my  bended  knees,  to  be  less

resolved upon their own destruction.