cially my mother." The statement had appeared in Brockhaus's
"Lexicon."]

183. "To me the highest thing, after God, is my honor."

(July 26, 1822, to the publisher Peters, in Leipzig.)

184. "I have never thought of writing for reputation and honor. What I
have in my heart must out; that is the reason why I compose."

(Remark to Karl Czerny, reported in his autobiography.)

185. "I do not desire that you shall esteem me greater as an artist, but
better and more perfect as a man; when the condition of our country
is somewhat better, then my art shall be devoted to the welfare of the
poor."

(Vienna, June 29, 1800, to Wegeler, in Bonn, writing of his return to
his native land.)

186. "Perhaps the only thing that looks like genius about me is that my
affairs are not always in the best of order, and that in this respect
nobody can be of help but myself."

(April 22, 1801, to Hofmeister, in Leipzig excusing himself for
dilatoriness in sending him these compositions: the Pianoforte sonata
op. 22, the symphony op. 21, the septet op. 20 and the concerto op. 19.)

187. "I am free from all small vanities. Only in the divine art is the
lever which gives me power to sacrifice the best part of my life to the
celestial muses."

(September 9, 1824, to George Nigeli, in Zurich.)

188. "Inasmuch as the purpose of the undersigned throughout his career
has not been selfish but the promotion of the interests of art, the
elevation of popular taste and the flight of his own genius toward
loftier ideals and perfection, it was inevitable that he should
frequently sacrifice his own advantages and profit to the muse."

(December, 1804, to the Director of the Court Theatre, applying for an
engagement which was never effected.)

189. "From my earliest childhood my zeal to serve suffering humanity
with my art was never content with any kind of a subterfuge; and no
other reward is needed than the internal satisfaction which always
accompanies such a deed."

(To Procurator Varenna, who had asked him for compositions to be played
at a charity concert in Graz.)

190. "There is no greater pleasure for me than to practice and exhibit
my art."

(November 16, 1800, or 1801, to Wegeler.)

191. "I recognize no other accomplishments or advantages than those
which place one amongst the better class of men; where I find them,
there is my home."

(Teplitz, July