3 ms·
> I believe he was as successful as he was because he was also exceptionally self disciplined. Well, that's one way to put it. These were the rules he wrote ou
by phonon 5y ago
> I believe he was as successful as he was because he was also exceptionally self disciplined.
Well, that's one way to put it. These were the rules he wrote out for his wife. [0]
You will make sure:
- that my clothes and laundry are kept in good order;
- that I will receive my three meals regularly in my room;
- that my bedroom and study are kept neat, and especially that my desk is left for my use only.
You will renounce all personal relations with me insofar as they are not completely necessary for social reasons. Specifically, You will forego:
- my sitting at home with you;
- my going out or travelling with you.
You will obey the following points in your relations with me:
- you will not expect any intimacy from me, nor will you reproach me in any way;
- you will stop talking to me if I request it;
- you will leave my bedroom or study immediately without protest if I request it.
You will undertake not to belittle me in front of our children, either through words or behaviour.
[0] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2133922/Was-Einstein-worlds-worst-husband-Wife-ordered-room-tidy-serve-meals-day--expect-NO-affection--stop-talking-demands-it.html#ixzz1sxkshpJv https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2133922/Was-Einst...
- beeboop 5y agoCharitably, the context of the time, this sounds like a man with a broken marriage who wants to continue providing for his wife who likely didn't work and their children. I think asking to be left alone in his private spaces, to not have drama, to do really basic chores like cooking and cleaning (in the context of the era) if you're not working or bringing in income seems really reasonable. He's a bigger man than me - I'd never live with an essentially ex wife.
- phonon 5y agoI couldn't imagine writing something like that to someone who I shared a life with for over a decade, and the mother of my children. But maybe thing were different back then...
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- killtimeatwork 5y agoPlenty of divorces are much much nastier than that.