Chronicle of Nietzsche 's Life 364June: Moves out of his apartment with his sister and relocates alone to
an apartment at the outskirts of the city. N. is harsh on himself: he wants
to put an end to "metaphysical obfuscation of everything that is true
and simple" and the "batde of reason against reason." Quite ill. Spends
the Christmas holidays in Basel. A visitor reports: "His whole appear-
ance cut me to the quick."
1879
March: N. has to cancel his lectures because of illness. "Assorted
Opinions and Sayings" (part 1 of volume 2 of Human, All Too Human)
published (March). Submits a letter of resignation to the University of
Basel. N.'s resignaton is granted with an annual pension of 3,000 Swiss
francs. N. begins his nomadic period. Spends the summer in St Moritz.
From September to February 1880 in Naumburg. Ν. gives up his plan to
relocate to a tower along the Naumburg town wall and to plant vegeta-
bles. Physical breakdown, but continues work on "The Wanderer and
His Shadow." The volume appears in December.1880
"My existence is an aitful burden—I would have dispensed with it long
ago, were it not for the most illuminating tests and experiments I have
been conducting in matters of mind and morality ... the pleasure I take
in my thirst for knowledge brings me to heights from which I triumph
over all torment and despondency" (January).
March to June: In Venice with Peter Gast. His state of health improves.
After stops in Naumburg and Stresa, N. spends his first winter in
Genoa (January to April 1881). Works on Daybreak. Intensive study of
books on natural science. Resolves to remain on his own for the sake of
his writing.1881
Summer: First visit to Sils-Maria. Daybreak is published (July). Early
August: the concept of eternal recurrence. N. has his great inspiration.