D O C U M E N T S 5 2 , 5 3 A U G U S T 1 9 2 5 6 5 drive each other into misery but by and large they accomplish this atrocity without inner conflict. Those few, however, who do not share in the coarse emotions of the masses and who, unaffected by such passions, cling to the ideal of brotherly love are faced with a more difficult fate. They will be cast out by society and persecuted as lepers unless they either act in a manner inconsistent with their conscience or cravenly conceal their real thoughts and feelings. You, revered master, have not kept silent. You have fought and suffered and given succor to those in distress, great soul that you are. In this shameful age for us Europeans it has become evident that mental athletics does not protect us against the narrowness of the human soul and barbaric senti- ments. I believe that noble human attitudes do not flourish any better in the univer- sities and academies than in the workshops of the unknown, silent, common man.[3] There is one community, however, that counts you among its most shining ex- amples. It is the community of the lonely people who are immune to the epidemics of hate, who seek to abolish war as the first step toward the moral regeneration of mankind, and who view this task as incomparably more important than the special interests of their own particular state or nation. Translators’ note: Based on Einstein on Peace, ed. Otto Nathan and Heinz Norden (New York: Avenel Books, 1960), pp. 79, 82. 52. To Elsa Einstein [Kiel, 19 August 1925] This card out of affection and because I’m afraid of a telegram. We have become real sea dogs and sail regardless of the weather.[1] I also get a massive amount of letters, but write few. Kossel just got here [2] I have to stop. Best regards, your Albert 53. To Elsa Einstein [Kiel,] 21 August 1925 Dear Else, The holidays are already drawing to a close now, and our Berlin guest house is repopulating itself.[1] My marriage with Albert is going quite well, but he’s a bit [p. 144]