about the readers (Über die Leser)

Liebe Leser,
Herman Hesse:

"Wenn Dichter wie Robert Walser zu den 'führenden Geistern' gehören würden, so gäbe es keinen Krieg. Wenn er nur hunderttausend Leser hätte, wäre die Welt besser."

(If writers like Robert Walser belonged to the 'leading spirits' [as in of the age], there would be no war. If he only had a hundred thousand readers, the world would be better.)

But perhaps I'd better begin with a caveat, as it were, lector. But already I see glazed looks on the faces of our dear Leser. But there may be less of that later. But before I begin it would be best not to let on, lest this very lecture (Leser, look out, Latin!) shield our shelves from themselves. But let me only say this: Diese Hesserei sind mir hässlich. (This Hessism is hateful to me.) But I guess it is good to begin.