116
DOCS.
101,
102 JULY-AUGUST
1915
I
am
very
sorry
for
Kaufler[2]
concerning
his
loss. He is not
alone
with
it. Such
hard
fates have
a
quite
different
effect
on people
than
one
should have
thought.
Rather than
aspiring
to
the
realization
that
they should not let themselves be led
blindly
and
should discard all
unjustifiably
acquired
trust
so
as
not to be abused in
a
shameful
way,
they
hurl
their hatred
senselessly
wherever
the
bellwethers
want
it.
No
education
and intellectual cultivation
seems
to be able to
protect
against
this
wretched madness. The
upright few
surely
have
an
inborn
ability
to remain
honest. Read
the
moving
little
book
Christianity
and
Patriotism
by
Tolstoy.[3]
The
obvious
is
said
there
simply
and
plainly, so movingly
in his
resignation.
Tolstoy
knows
that what
he
says
will
be of
no
help,
even
though
it ends
on a
more
optimistic
note
with
a
hymn
to
the
development
and
cleansing
of
public
opinion.[4]
He
has not
like
me
traveled with soldiers and
relished
their
stupidity
and
crudeness.
Do not
delay my
trip
to Zurich out
of
consideration,
because
you
think the
matter
might
turn out to be
partly
unpleasant.
In
this
regard
I
am
prepared
for
anything.
Only
be
guided by
when
you
are
available. The
education
director’s
office
asked
me
about
Piccard.
I
have recommended
him.[5]
It
is
wonderful here. Never have
I
been able to rest
so
well
since
adulthood.
Surely
I have
already
written
you
that
I
held
6
lectures at
Göttingen
in which
I
was
able to convince Hilbert of
the
general
theory of
relativity.
I
am
quite
enchanted with
the
latter,
a
man
of
astonishing
energy
and
independence
in
all
things.[6]
Sommerfeld
is
also
beginning
to
agree;[7]
Planck
and
Laue
are remaining
aloof.
I
do
not
yet
understand
your
suggestion regarding applying
statistics.
Again
sincere
thanks
&
affectionate
greetings, yours,
Einstein.
102. To
Wander and Geertruida de Haas
[Sellin,]
Monday
[2
August
1915]
My
Dears,
I
am
very
cheered
by your
letter,
from which
I gather
that
you
have
terminated
[your
lease]
properly.[1]
Now
certainly
no
obstacle remains for
the
dispatch
of
the
furniture.
Thursday
evening
I
am
coming
to Berlin and shall
provide
then
for
a
prompt
settlement.
Affectionate
greetings, yours,
Einstein.