The risk of going on

Vincent van Gogh to Theo van Gogh, from Drenthe, 29 October 1883

In short, there are limits, and my intuition tells me you have almost reached that point.

Look here - as regards now or never - making oneself scarce or disappearing, neither you nor I should ever do that, no more than commit suicide.

I too have my moments of deep melancholy, but I say again, both you and I ought to regard the idea of disappearing or making oneself scarce as becoming neither you nor me.

And notwithstanding all, one should take the risk of going on, even when one feels that it is impossible, of going on with the desperate feeling that it will end in disappearance - but on the other hand, in our consciences there is that "beware!!!"

Letter 337
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
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