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No, Hitler took away our nationality long ago. In fact, Germans and Jews are the greatest enemies in the world.
Who besides me will ever read these letters? From whom but myself shall I get comfort? As I need comforting often, I frequently feel weak, and dissatisfied with myself, my shortcomings are too great. I know this, and every day I try to improve myself, again and again.
Must I keep thinking about those other people, whatever I am doing? And if I want to laugh about something, should I stop myself quickly and feel ashamed that I am cheerful? Ought I then to cry the whole day long? No, that I can’t do. Besides, in time this gloom will wear off.
There is nothing we can do but wait as calmly as we can till the misery comes to an end. Jews and Christians wait, the whole earth waits; and there are many who wait for death.
If I talk, everyone thinks I’m showing off; when I’m silent they think I’m ridiculous; rude if I answer, sly if I get a good idea, lazy if I’m tired, selfish if I eat a mouthful more than I should, stupid, cowardly, crafty, etc., etc.
person can be lonely even if he is loved by many people, because he is still not the “One and Only” to anyone.
I have now reached the stage that I don’t care much whether I live or die. The world will still keep on turning without me; what is going to happen, will happen, and anyway it’s no good trying to resist. I trust to luck and do nothing but work, hoping that all will end well.
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of Nature.
“Go outside, to the fields, enjoy nature and the sunshine, go out and try to recapture happiness in yourself and in God. Think of all the beauty that’s still left in and around you and be happy!”
whoever is happy will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery!
Who has inflicted this upon us? Who has made us Jews different from all other people? Who has allowed us to suffer so terribly up till now? It is God that has made us as we are, but it will be God, too, who will raise us up again. If we bear all this suffering and if there are still Jews left, when it is over, then Jews, instead of being doomed, will be held up as an example. Who knows, it might even be our religion from which the world and all peoples learn good, and for that reason and that reason only do we have to suffer now. We can never become just Netherlanders, or just English, or
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If God lets me live, I shall attain more than Mummy ever has done, I shall not remain insignificant, I shall work in the world and for mankind!
“What, oh, what is the use of the war? Why can’t people live peacefully together? Why all this destruction?”
Yes, why do they make still more gigantic planes, still heavier bombs and, at the same time, prefabricated houses for reconstruction? Why should millions be spent daily on the war and yet there’s not a penny available for medical services, artists, or for poor people? Why do some people have to starve, while there are surpluses rotting in other parts of the world? Oh, why are people so crazy? I don’t believe that the big men, the politicians and the capitalists alone, are guilty of the war. Oh no, the little man is just as guilty, otherwise the peoples of the world would have risen in revolt
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“What one Christian does is his own responsibility, what one Jew does is thrown back at all Jews.”
I criticize and scold myself far more than anyone else does.
Mother Nature makes me humble and prepared to face every blow courageously.
Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction.
People who have a religion should be glad, for not everyone has the gift of believing in heavenly things.
a religion, it doesn’t matter which, keeps a person on the right path. It isn’t the fear of God but the upholding of one’s own honor and conscience.
every evening before falling asleep, they were to recall to their minds the events of the whole day and consider exactly what has been good and bad. Then, without realizing it, you try to improve yourself at the start of each new day,
The author of this book criticizes “the youth of today “from top to toe, without; however, condemning the whole the young brigade as “incapable of anything good.” On the contrary, she is rather of the opinion that if young people wished, they have it in their hands to make a bigger, more beautiful and better world, but that they occupy themselves with superficial things, without giving a thought to real beauty.
Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.
Daddy tried the wrong methods, he always talked to me as a child who was going through difficult phases.
I didn’t want to hear about “symptoms of your age” or “other girls,” or “it wears off by itself.” I didn’t want to be treated as a girl-like-all-others, but as Anne-on-her-own-merits.
Pim always takes up the older, fatherly attitude, tells me that he too has had similar passing tendencies. But still he’s not able to feel with me like a friend, however hard he tries. These things have made me never mention my views on life nor my well-considered theories to anyone but my diary and, occasionally, to Margot.
I not shared my secret thoughts with Pim but I have often pushed him even further from me, by my irritability.
“For in its innermost depths youth is lonelier than old age.”
It’s twice as hard for us young ones to hold our ground, and maintain our opinions, in a time when all ideals are being shattered and destroyed, when people are showing their worst side, and do not know whether to believe in truth and right and God.
in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.
