Grundlsee, Rebenburg
August 21, 1930

Dear Mr. Zweig

Among the many congratulations which the Goethe Prize has brought me, none has moved me so much as that which you have extorted from your poor eyes (although your handwriting doesn't show it); evidently because in hardly any other case do I feel so certain that my friendship meets with such loyal response. I do not deny that the Goethe Prize has pleased me very much. The idea of a closer connection with Goethe is too tempting; the prize itself is more of a bow made to the recipient than an assessment of his achievement. On the other hand at my time of life such recognition has neither much practical value nor great emotional