Sunday, June 8:
We talk about Fidi’s future; besides surgery I should very much like him to become an important statesman who will one day serve Germany. R. feels this requires social position and a certain lack of imagination; what he is hoping for is a clever young person to take charge of Fidi’s education, which should start with a thorough grounding in the German language, including Old and Middle High German, go on to Greek as if to a perfect paradise, and from there be led via Latin to Italian, English, and Spanish. But whatever happens he should not be cast into the general funnel of present-day education.
R. takes over my worries regarding Daniella and gives her a fine lecture; I hope to God it will bear fruit, for I am very sad and have never before felt so weary of life—how hard Nature is making it for me to serve Hans—as if I am no longer to be permitted to do so!
Walk with R. and the children to Schloss Cohndorf, where an auction is advertised. On our return home R. plays me something from Götterdämmerung—profound release, full of tears: can the cup be taken from me? But let it not be as I will—rather as Thou willst!
Prayers.