I a tyrant?! A tyrant to you! Only misjudgment of my character can make you say such a thing, and indeed this opinion of yours might imply a disagreement with me! – But I don’t blame you for it; on the contrary, it might be fortunate for you if it were true – Since yesterday I have not been feeling very well, and this morning my indisposition became more serious. It was caused by some indigestible food which I ate; and apparently my irritable nature feeds on the bad as well as on the good. But do not apply this dictum to my moral nature – People say nothing, they are just ordinary folk, that is to say, as a rule they see in others only their own reflection; and that is precisely nothing. Away with it. What is good and beautiful needs no human beings to recommend it. It stands there alone without any support; and, after all, that seems to be the basis of our understanding – All good wishes, dear A[malie]. If the moon seems to me to be brighter this evening than the sun has been during the day, then you will have a visit from a small person – from the smallest of all persons –
Your friend
Beethoven