Wittgenstein and Cambridge Family Resemblances

Russell to Keynes on Wittgenstein‘s election to the Apostles, 11 November 1912
All the difficulties I anticipated have arisen with Wittgenstein. I persuaded him at last to come to the
first meeting and see how he could stand it. Obviously from his point of view the Society is a mere
waste of time. But perhaps from a philosophical point of view he might be made to feel it worth
going on with. I feel, on reflection, very doubtful whether I did well to persuade him to come next
Saturday, as I feel sure he will retire in disgust. But I feel it is the business of the active brethren to
settle this before next Saturday. If he is going to retire, it would be better it should be before election.
Keynes to Wittgenstein, 10 January 1915
I am astonished to have got a letter from you. Do you think it proves that you existed within a short
time of my getting it? I think so. I hope you have been safely taken prisoner by now.
Russell and I have given up philosophy for the present – I to give my services to the Govt for
financial business, he to agitate for peace. But Moore and Johnson go on just as usual.
Ramsey to Keynes, Vienna, 24 March 1924
With regard to Wittgenstein I do not think it is any good at all trying to get him to live any pleasanter
a life, or stop the ridiculous waste of his energy and brain. I only see this clearly now because I have
got to know one of his sisters and met the rest of the family.
They are very rich and extremely anxious to give him money or do anything for him in any way,
and he rejects all their advances; even Christmas presents or presents of invalid’s food, when he is ill,
he sends back. And this is not because they aren’t on good terms but because he won’t have money
he hasn’t earned except for some very specific purpose like to come and see you again. I think he
teaches to earn money and would only stop teaching if he had some other way of earning money
which was preferable. And it would have to be really earning, he wouldn’t accept any job which
seemed in the least to be wangled for him.
Wittgenstein to Keynes,
18 October 1925
My dear Keynes,
Thanks so much for your letter! I am still teacher and don’t want any money at present. I have
decided to remain teacher, as long as I feel that the troubles into which I get that way, may do me
any good. If one has toothache it is good to put a hot-water bottle on your face, but it will only be
effective, as long as the heat of the bottle gives you some pain. I will chuck the bottle when I find
that it no longer gives me the particular kind of pain which will do my character any good. That
is, if people here don’t turn me out before that time. If I leave off teaching I will probably come to
England and look for a job there, because I am convinced that I cannot find anything at all possible
in this country. In this case I will want your help.
Summer 1927
It’s ages since you have heard from me. […] I won’t try to explain my long silence: there were lots
of reasons for it. I had a great many troubles one overlapping the other and postponed writing until
they would be all over. But now I have interrupted my troubles by a short holiday and this is the
occasion to write to you. I have given up teaching long ago (about 14 months)* and have taken to
architecture. I’m building a house in Vienna. This gives me heaps of troubles and I’m not even sure
that I’m not going to make a mess of it. However I believe it will be finished about November and
then I might take a trip to England if anybody there should care to see me. I should very much like
to see you again and meanwhile to get a line from you.
About your book I forgot to say that I liked it. It shows that you know that there are more things
between heaven and earth etc.
Please remember me to your wife.
Yours ever
Ludwig
* I couldn’t stand the hot bottle any longer.