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31. I. 1915
Besserung des Wetters. — Karte an Mama mit Ankündigung des Besuches für Montag nachmittags. — Karte an Sophie mit Einladung für Dienstag abends. — Nachmittags Spaziergang bei schönstem Wetter; 4. Variation dictiert. *Die „ italienische Frage“ 1 rückt in den Vordergrund – wieder will sich der Welt das Schauspiel offenbaren, daß Unbegabung nicht einmal schlau sein kann, sondern blos dumm ist. Italienische Schlauheit, die nach Vorteilen geht, wird sich – weil aus Dummheit kommend – genau so bestraft finden, wie Englands Krämerschlauheit, die auch nur Unbegabung u. Dummheit ist. Aber wo gibt es ein Mittel, dem Dumm- u. Schlaukopf nachzu- {853} weisen, daß er nicht gescheit genug ist, um wirklich praktisch sein zu können. ? Glaubt er doch beim nächsten billigsten Vorteil schon Gott weiß welche Klugheit entfaltet zu haben! *
© Transcription Marko Deisinger. |
January 31, 1915.
Improvement in the weather. — Postcard to Mama with announcement of the visit for Monday afternoon. — Postcard to Sophie with invitation for Tuesday afternoon. — In the afternoon, a walk in the most beautiful weather; [text for the] fourth variation dictated. *The "Italian Question" 1 comes to the fore: again, the spectacle wants to reveal to the world that that ungiftedness cannot once be clever, but is only stupid. Italian cleverness, which seeks to gain advantages, will – because it is coming from stupidity – find itself punished, just like England's shopkeeper cleverness, which also is only ungiftedness and stupidity. But where is there a means of proving to the stupid or clever, {853} that they are not smart enough to be truly effective? Be they believe God knows what smartness they have uncovered at the next, cheapest advantage gained! *
© Translation William Drabkin. |
|
31. I. 1915
Besserung des Wetters. — Karte an Mama mit Ankündigung des Besuches für Montag nachmittags. — Karte an Sophie mit Einladung für Dienstag abends. — Nachmittags Spaziergang bei schönstem Wetter; 4. Variation dictiert. *Die „ italienische Frage“ 1 rückt in den Vordergrund – wieder will sich der Welt das Schauspiel offenbaren, daß Unbegabung nicht einmal schlau sein kann, sondern blos dumm ist. Italienische Schlauheit, die nach Vorteilen geht, wird sich – weil aus Dummheit kommend – genau so bestraft finden, wie Englands Krämerschlauheit, die auch nur Unbegabung u. Dummheit ist. Aber wo gibt es ein Mittel, dem Dumm- u. Schlaukopf nachzu- {853} weisen, daß er nicht gescheit genug ist, um wirklich praktisch sein zu können. ? Glaubt er doch beim nächsten billigsten Vorteil schon Gott weiß welche Klugheit entfaltet zu haben! *
© Transcription Marko Deisinger. |
|
January 31, 1915.
Improvement in the weather. — Postcard to Mama with announcement of the visit for Monday afternoon. — Postcard to Sophie with invitation for Tuesday afternoon. — In the afternoon, a walk in the most beautiful weather; [text for the] fourth variation dictated. *The "Italian Question" 1 comes to the fore: again, the spectacle wants to reveal to the world that that ungiftedness cannot once be clever, but is only stupid. Italian cleverness, which seeks to gain advantages, will – because it is coming from stupidity – find itself punished, just like England's shopkeeper cleverness, which also is only ungiftedness and stupidity. But where is there a means of proving to the stupid or clever, {853} that they are not smart enough to be truly effective? Be they believe God knows what smartness they have uncovered at the next, cheapest advantage gained! *
© Translation William Drabkin. |
Footnotes1 Italy had been allied with the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires since 1882 as part of the Triple Alliance. However, the nation had its own designs on Austrian territory in Trentino, the Austrian Littoral, Fiume (Rijeka) and Dalmatia. After the outbreak of war, the Austro-Hungarian government began negotiations to secure Italian neutrality, offering the French colony of Tunisia in return. The Entente powers made a counter-offer in which Italy would receive the Southern Tyrol, Austrian Littoral and territory on the Dalmatian coast after the defeat of Austria-Hungary. This was formalized by the Treaty of London. Further encouraged by the Allied invasion of Turkey in April 1915, Italy joined the Entente and declared war on Austria-Hungary on 23 May. |