So I continue this miserable existence–truly
miserable, as my body is so sensitive that my condition
can change rapidly from very good to very bad. Patience–
that must be my guide, as I am determined, and I hope will
always remain so, to endure until it pleases the inexorable
Parcae to break the thread. Perhaps my lot will improve,
perhaps not–at the age of 28 I was compelled to become
a philosopher. It has not been easy, and more difficult for
an artist than for anyone else. Oh God, you look down
on my inner soul, and know that it is filled with love of
humanity and the desire to do good, Oh my fellow men,
when you read this someday, reflect that you have done
me wrong, and let him who is unfortunate comfort himself
with the thought that he has found someone equally
unfortunate who, despite all the burdens placed on him
by nature, did all which was in his power to earn a place
among worthy artists and human beings.–You, my
brothers Carl and——, as soon as I am dead, if Professor
Schmidt is still living, ask him in my name to describe my
disease, and add the paper I have written here to the docu-
ments of my illness, so that after my death the world
will be reconciled with me as far as possible.–At the same
time I hereby nominate you both as heirs to my little
property [if it can be so called] ; share it honestly, live in
harmony and help each other. You know that the harm
you did me has long since been forgiven. I thank you
brother Carl, in particular, for the goodness you have
shown me of late. My wish is that your lives will be
better and less careladen than mine. Urge your children
to follow the path of virtue, as that alone can bring
happiness–money cannot. I speak from experience, as
virtue alone has sustained me in my misery, and it was
thanks to virtue, together with my art, that I did not end
my life by committing suicide. Farewell, and love one
another.– I thank all my friends, especially Prince Lich-
nowsky and Professor Schmidt.–I wish Prince Lich-
nowsky’s instruments to be kept safely by one of you, but
do not make them an occasion for strife between you ;
as soon as they can serve you in a more useful way, sell
them–how happy I shall be if, in my grave, I can still be
of use to you both! So be it, I go joyfully towards death.
If it comes before I have had the chance to develop all my
artistic abilities, that will be too soon for me, despite my
hard fate, and I would wish it to be postponed– yet should
I not be satisfied, would it not release me from a condition
of endless suffering? Come when you will death, I will
meet you resolutely. Farewell, and do not entirely forget
me when I am dead : I have deserved to be remembered
by you, as I have often thought of you during my lifetime.
May you be happy.
Ludwig van Beethowen.
Heiligenstadt. 6th October 1802.”
Beethoven had two younger brothers, Carl and Johann, yet he
left a blank space in lieu of Johann’s name in his will; interesting.
Also interesting is the fact that he wrote his will some
twenty-four years before his death on March 26th, 1827.
Islander.