For otherwise how near man is to madness, in spite of all his knowledge.
For otherwise how near man is to madness, in spite of all his knowledge.
For otherwise how near man is to madness, in spite of all his knowledge. What is truth but to live for an idea? Ultimately everything must rest upon a postulate; but the moment it is no longer outside him, and he lives in it, then and only then does it cease to be a postulate for him.
2
S.K. returned to Copenhagen sometime before August 14.
3
E.T.A. Hoffmann: Meister Floh.
4
The family·in which Kierkegaard first met Regine Olsen.
5
Regine Olsen believed that this entry was the result of their first meeting and the impression which they made upon one another. “He immediately made a very strong impression upon her, which, however, she concealed. She still remembered that he talked continuously, that the words poured forth and that his conversation was captivating in the highest degree, but after the passage of many years she could not remember the content.” Raphael Meyer: Kierkegaardske Papirer, Forlovelsen, 1904.
6
Like Leporello they keep a list, but the point is what they lack; while Don Juan seduces girls and enjoys himself —Leporello notes down the time, the place and a description of the girl.
7
Poul Martin Møller died on March 13. With this entry the Journal begins again. 58
8
Herz’s novel Moods and Conditions was published in Copenhagen in 1839. The Translator, one of the principal characters, is a description of S.K. as a a young man.
9
S.K. had taken his degree.
10
S.K.’s aunt’s house in Saeding.
11
This account of his engagement was sent to Regine Olsen on S. K.’s death with all the papers relating to their engagement. They were edited under her supervision, but not published until after her death, by Raphael Meyer in 1904 under the title Kierkegaardske Papirer: Forlovelsen.
12
To some extent she suspected my condition, for she often answered: “You are never happy; and so it is all one to you whether I remain with you or not.” She also once said to me : that she would never ask me about anything if only she might remain with me.
13
A part of The Stages by Frater Taciturnitus.
14
In a letter to Emil Boesen S. K. forbade Boesen to contradict all the stories about the engagement which were being told to his discredit, and refers to the above episode. It was Professor Sibbern who had spoken sharply to Peter Kierkegaard.
15
S.K. broke off his engagement on October 11 and on October 25, 1841, sailed for Berlin. He was seen on to the boat by his brother and Emil Boesen.
16
Regine Olsen’s brother.
17
S.K. returned to Copenhagen on March 6, 1842.
18
The episode is historical and the friend Bishop Mynster.
19
This is the second journey to Berlin, described in The Repetition. S.K. left for Berlin on May 8.
20
The third autobiographical insertion, Solomon’s Dream describes ‘the earthquake.’ Solomon’s Dream in Guilty—Not Guilty.
21
The inflation which enriched S. K.’s father.
22
From which The Present Age is translated.
23
With this memorandum begins the series of note-books numbered NBFor otherwise how near man is to madness, in spite of all his knowledge. to NB36 which continue down to within a year of S. K.’s death. The memorandum was written between March and May or June.
24
Christmas, 1845.
25
Plato, Apology.
26
Ordination is a character indelebilis; s.v. vii. 232.
27
The story referred to is the one in which S. K. appears caricatured as the parrot.
28
Richard III, cf. Fear and Trembling, Problem III.
29
Works of Love.
31
And now, in 1848!
30
Afterwards added as an appendix to The point of view for my work as an author.
32
and yet she could not have been mine. I was and am a penitent and my punishment was merely terribly increased by having begun that relationship.
33
Nytorv 2, sold for 22,000 Rd. in December, 1847. S. K. had inherited half; bought the other half from his brother (making 1,000 Rd.) and lived there from 1844—1847.
34
S. K.’s servant who was called up.
35
Of the university students.
36
Professor Rasmus Nielson an opponent of Martenson.
37
Gal. i. 1, not of men, neither by man.
38
I. Cor. i. 12.
39
Mat. 7. 24, Luke 6. 47, John 8.31 f
40
Rom. 11. 33.
41
S. K. is playing on the two words “at fri“ and “at frie,” to woo and to make free.
42
Gjødwad was the editor of The Fatherland in which S. K. published his articles against P. L. Moller and subsequently against Martensen.
43
He too thanked me in the strongest terms privately for the articles against P. L. Møller and added: I ought to have done that long ago. And consequently he spoke like that in private, but publicly he was silent.
44
Died January 30, 1854. The Journal (NB23) breaks off on Nov. 2, 1853. After a silence of four months, which not even Mynster’s death caused him to interrupt, it begins again with this entry.
45
Curiously enough I am called S.A. and we probably stand in an inverse relation to one another.
46
And ethically, as is shown elsewhere, originality means to stake everything, to risk everything, First the kingdom of God.