14. To Felix Ronsperger

Dear Sir! It was in the winter of this year that I became acquainted with your dear son, who has since become infinitely dear to me. Given my education, I could not fail to notice his profound disposition and promising talent. The noble aspirations that lie within him and the nature of his feelings are qualities that are hard to find today. He never really agreed with my ideas, and we had many arguments; but it is through argument that a higher harmony develops, and he became a dear friend to me. I was happy when he was happy, and therefore wished him happiness with all my heart when he wrote to me that his application for admission to the university had been favorably decided. He then wrote me the enclosed letter in reply, which speaks in more detail of what he had only once mentioned to me in passing. The contents of the letter would be too great a burden for me if I were to think that his father knew nothing about it. This is the reason why I am sending you this letter, dear sir. Please accept this as an apology for a complete stranger writing to you. I am only doing what your son would have done long ago if he had been able to bring himself to do so. He knows nothing of my actions, but I am convinced that he will not take it amiss and will, if he ever learns of it, agree with me completely. The matter begins where I have made the sign #. I apologize once again and remain with deepest respect, etc.—

Source: Self-quotation in Rudolf Steiner's letter to Rudolf Ronsperger, Oberlaa, Aug. 18, 1881, RSA. Since Rudolf Steiner quotes his letter to Felix Ronsperger in his letter to Rudolf Ronsperger dated August 18, 1881, which follows immediately below, it can be understood in its entirety; answered on: after August 17, 1881 (not available)