Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of December 30, 1873

Overview

The year winds down with letter writing, cold weather, a walk with the children, and a final conversation about religion and Nirvana. The talk frames Nirvana as negative toward the present world yet positive in relation to a future state. Business correspondence and a farewell to Richter give the day a closing, transitional tone.

Content

Tuesday, December 30:

R. writes letters, clearing things up at the end of the year. It has become very cold; I walked with the children.

In the evening there was a discussion on religion with R.: Nirvana is purely negative in relation to our world, but positive in the sense that we shall be to it what we now are. Business affairs: today I wrote to my mother and to E. Ollivier. In the morning I said goodbye to Richter.