I have never piqued myself on being a philosopher; though I have made my efforts to become so.

The small progress I made did teach me to despise grandeurs and riches: but I could never find in philosophy any cure for the wounds of the heart, except that of getting done with our miseries by ceasing to live.

The state I am in is worse than death.

I see the greatest man of his age, my Brother, my friend, reduced to the frightfulest extremity.

I see my whole Family exposed to dangers and perhaps destruction; my native Country torn by pitiless enemies; the Country where I am [Reichs Army, Anspach, what not] menaced by perhaps similar misfortune.