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Dear Theo,
A feeling, even a fine feeling, for the beauties of Nature
is not the same as a religious feeling, though I believe these
two are connected. *
Nearly everyone has a feeling for nature, some more, some
less, but there are some who feel: God is a Spirit, and they
that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Father is one of those few, Mother too, and Uncle Vincent as
well, I think.
You know that it is written: “The world passeth away
and the lust thereof”, and that on the other hand we are
also told about “that good part which shall not be taken
away”, and about “a well of water springing up into
everlasting life.” Let us also pray that we may grow rich
in God. Still, do not dwell too deeply on these matters - in
the fullness of time they will become clearer to you of their
own accord - and just take the advice I have given you.
Let us ask that it may fall to us to become the poor in the
kingdom of God, God's servants. We are still a long way from
that, however, since there are often beams in our eye that we
know not of. Let us therefore ask that our eye may become
single, for then we ourselves shall become wholly single.
Regards to Roos and to anybody who may ask after me, and
believe me, always,
Your loving brother, Vincent
You are eating properly, aren't you? In particular eat
especially as much bread as you can. Sleep well, I must go and
polish my boots for tomorrow.
*The same is true of the feeling for art. Do not succumb too
much to that either. Above all, save some love for the business
and for your work, and respect for Mr. Tersteeg. One day you
will appreciate, better than now, how much he deserves it. No
need to overdo it, though.
At this time, Vincent was 22 year oldSource: Vincent van Gogh. Letter to Theo van Gogh. Written 17 September 1875 in Paris. Translated by Mrs. Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, edited by Robert Harrison, number 038. URL: https://www.webexhibits.org/vangogh/letter/3/038.htm.
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