To be young and do good is a simple matter

On evil one’s back to turn,

But to smile when the heart beats pitter-patter

Is something one has to learn.

And whoever succeeds has not grown old

But stands as bright as the sun

And has the world in his powerful hold

Bending its poles to one.

We think that death is waiting there

And so we should not stay

But march to meet him fair and square

And drive him far away.

But death’s not here or there to see

Though everywhere displayed.

He is in you and is in me

When life we have betrayed.

Since old folk can’t do anything else but give wise advice to young folk, I’ll give you a few handy tips, because a man’s sixtieth birthday is just the right time to do it. At this age it’s time to give up some of one’s youthful or manly pride and obstinacy, and start handling life—which one has hitherto bossed around—a bit more gently and warily. This includes a degree of care and attention and flexibility in relation to weaknesses and illnesses—one should stop moaning about them and forcing them to take a back seat, and instead one should give way to them and be nice to them, coddle oneself and, with doctors and medications, as with rest periods, taking the waters, having breaks at work, show them the respect they deserve, because they are all messengers from the greatest power that exists on earth.

From a letter written on
24th August 1947 to Max
Wassmer