"What this woman, with extremely keen critical intelligence, great political alertness, abundant energy and enthusiastic character, and who was loyal to her comrades-in-arms, did for the movement in almost 40 years is invisible to the public, nor is it recorded in the yearbooks of modern newspapers. ”
"I don't need to talk about her personal character. It's something her friends know and will never forget. If there is a woman who sees making others happy as her own, then that woman is her. ”
This is a eulogy written by Friedrich Engels for Jenny Marx.
Jenny Marx, born Jenny von Westphalen, was a famous thinker, political scientist, philosopher, and revolutionary theorist. It was the wife of Karl Marx, a great man who changed the course of contemporary history.
As the woman behind the giants, her wisdom and light, dedication and toil are often overlooked.
This year marks the 210th anniversary of the birth of Yanni Marx and the 206th anniversary of the birth of Karl Marx.
Manuscript collation
My dear Mr. Allsop：
I can not tell you how grieved I was to hear that you have lost your dear partner of life, so excellent, so exquisite a being, clear headed, high minded, sweet tempered - and how grand and noble she looked, how beautiful even in old age and sickness!
I shall never forget the evening when Joan her last in all her feminine dignity all her delicate, considerate kindness and friendliness.
Her unselfish and actif(active) love was for you, her so dearly beloved husband, for her children and her children's children. But although her whole heart was with those nearest and dearest to her, she was never narrow-minded or family bound, her warm glowing heart was always open for the wrongs and woes of human mind; she felt for the oppressed, the struggling, the lowly.
How deep, how bitter must be your sorrow, your solitude, your loneliness! You may be sure of our deepest, heartfelt sympathy for your greatest affiliation.
Your sincere and devoted friend Jenny Marx
Refer to the translation
Dear Mr. Orthorpe,
I can't express to you how sad I am to hear that you have lost the dear partner in your life. She was so good, so delicate, so clear-headed, so virtuous, so mild-hearted—she looked so noble and elegant, and so beautiful even in her old age and sickness.
I will never forget that evening, when Joan showed for the last time all her feminine dignity, her gentle and delicate kindness and friendliness. Her selfless and passionate love belongs to you – her beloved husband, her children and her children's children. Although she put her whole heart on those closest and dearest to her, she was never narrow-minded or confined to her family, and her warm and splendid heart was always open to human suffering and misery. She has a love for the oppressed, the resistant, and the lowly.
Your sorrow, your loneliness, your loneliness must be so deep and painful! Believe that we have deep and heartfelt sympathy for the deep pain you have suffered.
Your sincere and faithful friend Jenny Marx
Portrait "Lifelong Companions - Marx and Yanni". Author: Wang Nen
The owner of this letter is Thomas Orthorp, according to the Complete Works of Marx and Engels, he is a British exchange broker and political commentator. Actively cooperated with Marx in assisting the exiles of the Paris Commune. Maintain friendly relations with Marx's family.
Written in ink, this letter of condolence by Yanny Marx is written in graceful and fluent style, and the words flow with her sincere feelings for Marx's friend (that is, her friend), which is deeply intimate and comforting to read.
The path of revolutionaries is always bumpy. In the thorny, dangerous and tortuous revolutionary journey, Yanni and Marx spent nearly 40 years side by side. In her life with Marx, Yanni withstood the frenzied persecution and blows of the reactionaries with an arduous spirit, and overcame the difficulties of material life.
She received tremendous spiritual encouragement and comfort from Marx, and was full of confidence in the victory of the cause for which Marx had fought all his life. At the same time, she also gave Marx great help, creating all the necessary conditions for Marx to engage in theoretical research, writing, and practical revolutionary struggle.
Karl Marx was lucky and happy. Jenny Marx is great and worthy of respect. As their youngest daughter, Elena, said, "Without Jenny von Westphalen, Karl Marx would never have been what he was." The two of them complement each other perfectly, a match made in heaven. ”
China Petroleum News Night Reading Column
Author: Zhang Hongying, China Petroleum Society
Image: Zhang Hongying, Practice & Text Official Account
Editor: Guo Siqing
Editor-in-charge: He Li
Review: Li Xiangyang