Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of September 19, 1869

Overview

Breakfast with Nietzsche turns tense when Richard attacks his oath to avoid meat as moralistic arrogance unsuited to real work and compromise. The professor admits Richard's point but keeps to abstinence, which angers him further. Cosima plays lotto and dominoes with the children and goes early to bed amid outside offers from people who misunderstand Wagner's aims.

Content

Sunday, September 19:

Coffee with Prof. Nietzsche; unfortunately he vexes R. very much with an oath he has sworn not to eat meat, but only vegetables. R. considers this nonsense, arrogance as well, and when the Prof. says it is morally important not to eat animals, etc., R. replies that our whole existence is a compromise, which we can only expiate by producing some good. One cannot do that just by milk; better, then, to become an ascetic. To do good in our climate we need good nourishment, and so on.

Since the Prof. admits that Richard is right, yet nevertheless sticks to his abstinence, R. becomes angry.

In the afternoon played with the children, lotto and dominoes. Very early to bed, being very tired.

From outside all kinds of nonsense, conductors and theater directors offering their services. Nobody can really grasp what we are after.