Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of February 13, 1877

Overview

Carnival playfulness fills the household, with children dressed in imaginative roles and letters finally arriving. In the evening the writer reads until a headache interrupts, after which a book of Indian proverbs captivates both of them with its austere wisdom. The reflections lead to admiration for the depth and subtlety of Indian thought.

Content

Tuesday, February 13:

All kinds of carnival activities - Boni as Pompadour, Loldi as Senta, Eva as Isolde, Fidi as herald of peace! Letters, too, at last.

In the evening a little more Thucydides, but I soon have to give up my reading on account of my head. R. then takes up a book of Indian proverbs, which we find enchanting.

Fate I deem certain, but the work of man is useless. - Stones are gods; they do not hate, they do not beg, they do not interfere in the affairs of others, bestirring themselves only when one wishes it. Probably no other people has ever seen and comprehended things as well as the Indians.