IntroductoryNoteSchiller’simportanceintheintellectualhistoryofGermanyisbynomeansconfinedtohispoetryanddramas。Hedidnotableworkinhistoryandphilosophy，andinthedepartmentofestheticsespecially，hemadesignificantcontributions，modifyinganddevelopinginimportantrespectsthedoctrinesofKant。Intheletterson\"EstheticEducation，\"whicharehereprinted，hegivesthephilosophicbasisforhisdoctrineofart，andindicatesclearlyandpersuasivelyhisviewoftheplaceofbeautyinhumanlife。
PartI
LetterI。
ByyourpermissionIlaybeforeyou，inaseriesofletters，theresultsofmyresearchesuponbeautyandart。Iamkeenlysensibleoftheimportanceaswellasofthecharmanddignityofthisundertaking。Ishalltreatasubjectwhichiscloselyconnectedwiththebetterportionofourhappinessandnotfarremovedfromthemoralnobilityofhumannature。IshallpleadthiscauseoftheBeautifulbeforeaheartbywhichherwholepowerisfeltandexercised，andwhichwilltakeuponitselfthemostdifficultpartofmytaskinaninvestigationwhereoneiscompelledtoappealasfrequentlytofeelingsastoprinciples。
ThatwhichIwouldbegofyouasafavour，yougenerouslyimposeuponmeasaduty;and，whenIsolelyconsultmyinclination，youimputetomeaservice。Thelibertyofactionyouprescribeisratheranecessityformethanaconstraint。Littleexercisedinformalrules，Ishallscarcelyincurtheriskofsinningagainstgoodtastebyanyundueuseofthem;
myideas，drawnratherfromwithinthanfromreadingorfromanintimateexperiencewiththeworld，willnotdisowntheirorigin;theywouldratherincuranyreproachthanthatofasectarianbias，andwouldprefertosuccumbbytheirinnatefeeblenessthansustainthemselvesbyborrowedauthorityandforeignsupport。
Intruth，IwillnotkeepbackfromyouthattheassertionswhichfollowrestchieflyuponKantianprinciples;butifinthecourseoftheseresearchesyoushouldberemindedofanyspecialschoolofphilosophy，ascribeittomyincapacity，nottothoseprinciples。No;yourlibertyofmindshallbesacredtome;andthefactsuponwhichIbuildwillbefurnishedbyyourownsentiments;yourownunfetteredthoughtwilldictatethelawsaccordingtowhichwehavetoproceed。
WithregardtotheideaswhichpredominateinthepracticalpartofKant’ssystem，philosophersonlydisagree，whilstmankind，Iamconfidentofproving，haveneverdoneso。Ifstrippedoftheirtechnicalshape，theywillappearastheverdictofreasonpronouncedfromtimeimmemorialbycommonconsent，andasfactsofthemoralinstinctwhichnature，inherwisdom，hasgiventomaninordertoserveasguideandteacheruntilhisenlightenedintelligencegiveshimmaturity。Butthisverytechnicalshapewhichrenderstruthvisibletotheunderstandingconcealsitfromthefeelings;
for，unhappily，understandingbeginsbydestroyingtheobjectoftheinnersensebeforeitcanappropriatetheobject。Likethechemist，thephilosopherfindssynthesisonlybyanalysis，orthespontaneousworkofnatureonlythroughthetortureofart。Thus，inordertodetainthefleetingapparition，hemustenchainitinthefettersofrule，dissectitsfairproportionsintoabstractnotions，andpreserveitslivingspiritinafleshlessskeletonofwords。Isitsurprisingthatnaturalfeelingshouldnotrecogniseitselfinsuchacopy，andifinthereportoftheanalystthetruthappearsasparadox？
Permitmethereforetocraveyourindulgenceifthefollowingresearchesshouldremovetheirobjectfromthesphereofsensewhileendeavouringtodrawittowardstheunderstanding。ThatwhichIbeforesaidofmoralexperiencecanbeappliedwithgreatertruthtothemanifestationof\"thebeautiful。\"Itisthemysterywhichenchants，anditsbeingextinguishedwiththeextinctionofthenecessarycombinationofitselements。
LetterII。
ButImightperhapsmakeabetteruseoftheopeningyouaffordmeifIweretodirectyourmindtoaloftierthemethanthatofart。Itwouldappeartobeunseasonabletogoinsearchofacodefortheaestheticworld，whenthemoralworldoffersmatterofsomuchhigherinterest，andwhenthespiritofphilosophicalinquiryissostringentlychallengedbythecircumstancesofourtimestooccupyitselfwiththemostperfectofallworksofart-theestablishmentandstructureofatruepoliticalfreedom。
Itisunsatisfactorytoliveoutofyourownageandtoworkforothertimes。Itisequallyincumbentonustobegoodmembersofourownageasofourownstateorcountry。Ifitisconceivedtobeunseemlyandevenunlawfulforamantosegregatehimselffromthecustomsandmannersofthecircleinwhichhelives，itwouldbeinconsistentnottoseethatitisequallyhisdutytograntapropershareofinfluencetothevoiceofhisownepoch，toitstasteanditsrequirements，intheoperationsinwhichheengages。
Butthevoiceofourageseemsbynomeansfavorabletoart，atalleventstothatkindofarttowhichmyinquiryisdirected。Thecourseofeventshasgivenadirectiontothegeniusofthetimethatthreatenstoremoveitcontinuallyfurtherfromtheidealofart。Forarthastoleavereality，ithastoraiseitselfbodilyabovenecessityandneediness;
forartisthedaughteroffreedom，anditrequiresitsprescriptionsandrulestobefurnishedbythenecessityofspiritsandnotbythatofmatter。
Butinourdayitisnecessity，neediness，thatprevails，andbendsadegradedhumanityunderitsironyoke。Utilityisthegreatidolofthetime，towhichallpowersdohomageandallsubjectsaresubservient。Inthisgreatbalanceofutility，thespiritualserviceofarthasnoweight，and，deprivedofallencouragement，itvanishesfromthenoisyVanityFairofourtime。
Theveryspiritofphilosophicalinquiryitselfrobstheimaginationofonepromiseafteranother，andthefrontiersofartarenarrowed，inproportionasthelimitsofscienceareenlarged。
Theeyesofthephilosopheraswellasofthemanoftheworldareanxiouslyturnedtothetheatreofpoliticalevents，whereitispresumedthegreatdestinyofmanistobeplayedout。Itwouldalmostseemtobetrayaculpableindifferencetothewelfareofsocietyifwedidnotsharethisgeneralinterest。Forthisgreatcommerceinsocialandmoralprinciplesisofnecessityamatterofthegreatestconcerntoeveryhumanbeing，onthegroundbothofitssubjectandofitsresults。Itmustaccordinglybeofdeepestmomenttoeverymantothinkforhimself。Itwouldseemthatnowatlengthaquestionthatformerlywasonlysettledbythelawofthestrongeristobedeterminedbythecalmjudgmentofthereason，andeverymanwhoiscapableofplacinghimselfinacentralposition，andraisinghisindividualityintothatofhisspecies，canlookuponhimselfasinpossessionofthisjudicialfacultyofreason;beingmoreover，asmanandmemberofthehumanfamily，apartyinthecaseundertrialandinvolvedmoreorlessinitsdecisions。Itwouldthusappearthatthisgreatpoliticalprocessisnotonlyengagedwithhisindividualcase，ithasalsotopronounceenactments，whichheasarationalspiritiscapableofenunciatingandentitledtopronounce。
Itisevidentthatitwouldhavebeenmostattractivetometoinquireintoanobjectsuchasthis，todecidesuchaquestioninconjunctionwithathinkerofpowerfulmind，amanofliberalsympathies，andaheartimbuedwithanobleenthusiasmforthewealofhumanity。Thoughsowidelyseparatedbyworldlyposition，itwouldhavebeenadelightfulsurprisetohavefoundyourunprejudicedmindarrivingatthesameresultasmyowninthefieldofideas。Nevertheless，IthinkIcannotonlyexcuse，butevenjustifybysolidgrounds，mystepinresistingthisattractivepurposeandinpreferringbeautytofreedom。IhopethatIshallsucceedinconvincingyouthatthismatterofartislessforeigntotheneedsthantothetastesofourage;
nay，that，toarriveatasolutioneveninthepoliticalproblem，theroadofaestheticsmustbepursued，becauseitisthroughbeautythatwearriveatfreedom。ButIcannotcarryoutthisproofwithoutmybringingtoyourremembrancetheprinciplesbywhichthereasonisguidedinpoliticallegislation。
LetterIII。
Manisnotbettertreatedbynatureinhisfirststartthanherotherworksare;solongasheisunabletoactforhimselfasanindependentintelligence，sheactsforhim。Buttheveryfactthatconstituteshimamanis，thathedoesnotremainstationary，wherenaturehasplacedhim，thathecanpasswithhisreason，retracingthestepsnaturehadmadehimanticipate，thathecanconverttheworkofnecessityintooneoffreesolution，andelevatephysicalnecessityintoamorallaw。
Whenmanisraisedfromhisslumberinthesenses，hefeelsthatheisaman，hesurveyshissurroundings，andfindsthatheisinastate。
Hewasintroducedintothisstate，bythepowerofcircumstances，beforehecouldfreelyselecthisownposition。Butasamoralbeinghecannotpossiblyrestsatisfiedwithapoliticalconditionforceduponhimbynecessity，andonlycalculatedforthatcondition;anditwouldbeunfortunateifthisdidsatisfyhim。Inmanycasesmanshakesoffthisblindlawofnecessity，byhisfreespontaneousaction，ofwhichamongmanyotherswehaveaninstance，inhisennoblingbybeautyandsuppressingbymoralinfluencethepowerfulimpulseimplantedinhimbynatureinthepassionoflove。Thus，whenarrivedatmaturity，herecovershischildhoodbyanartificialprocess，hefoundsastateofnatureinhisideas，notgivenhimbyanyexperience，butestablishedbythenecessarylawsandconditionsofhisreason，andheattributestothisidealconditionanobject，anaim，ofwhichhewasnotcognisantintheactualrealityofnature。Hegiveshimselfachoiceofwhichhewasnotcapablebefore，andsetstoworkjustasifhewerebeginninganew，andwereexchanginghisoriginalstateofbondageforoneofcompleteindependence，doingthiswithcompleteinsightandofhisfreedecision。Heisjustifiedinregardingthisworkofpoliticalthraldomasnon-existing，thoughawildandarbitrarycapricemayhavefoundeditsworkveryartfully;thoughitmaystrivetomaintainitwithgreatarroganceandencompassitwithahaloofveneration。Fortheworkofblindpowerspossessesnoauthority，beforewhichfreedomneedbow，andallmustbemadetoadaptitselftothehighestendwhichreasonhassetupinhispersonality。Itisinthiswisethatapeopleinastateofmanhoodisjustifiedinexchangingaconditionofthraldomforoneofmoralfreedom。
Nowthetermnaturalconditioncanbeappliedtoeverypoliticalbodywhichowesitsestablishmentoriginallytoforcesandnottolaws，andsuchastatecontradictsthemoralnatureofman，becauselawfulnesscanalonehaveauthorityoverthis。Atthesametimethisnaturalconditionisquitesufficientforthephysicalman，whoonlygiveshimselflawsinordertogetridofbruteforce。Moreover，thephysicalmanisareality，andthemoralmanproblematical。Thereforewhenthereasonsuppressesthenaturalcondition，asshemustifshewishestosubstituteherown，sheweighstherealphysicalmanagainsttheproblematicalmoralman，sheweighstheexistenceofsocietyagainstapossible，thoughmorallynecessary，idealofsociety。Shetakesfrommansomethingwhichhereallypossesses，andwithoutwhichhepossessesnothing，andrefershimasasubstitutetosomethingthatheoughttopossesandmightpossess;andifreasonhadreliedtooexclusivelyonhim，shemight，inordertosecurehimastateofhumanityinwhichheiswantingandcanwantwithoutinjurytohislife，haverobbedhimevenofthemeansofanimalexistencewhichisthefirstnecessaryconditionofhisbeingaman。Beforehehadopportunitytoholdfirmtothelawwithhiswill，reasonwouldhavewithdrawnfromhisfeettheladderofnature。
Thegreatpointisthereforetoreconcilethesetwoconsiderations：
topreventphysicalsocietyfromceasingforamomentintime，whilethemoralsocietyisbeingformedintheidea;inotherwords，topreventitsexistencefrombeingplacedinjeopardy，forthesakeofthemoraldignityofman。Whenthemechanichastomendawatch，heletsthewheelsrunout，butthelivingwatchworksofthestatehavetoberepairedwhiletheyact，andawheelhastobeexchangedforanotherduringitsrevolutions。Accordinglypropsmustbesoughtfortosupportsocietyandkeepitgoingwhileitismadeindependentofthenaturalconditionfromwhichitissoughttoemancipateit。
Thispropisnotfoundinthenaturalcharacterofman，who，beingselfishandviolent，directshisenergiesrathertothedestructionthantothepreservationofsociety。Norisitfoundinhismoralcharacter，whichhastobeformed，whichcanneverbeworkeduponorcalculatedonbythelawgiver，becauseitisfreeandneverappears。Itwouldseemthereforethatanothermeasuremustbeadopted。Itwouldseemthatthephysicalcharacterofthearbitrarymustbeseparatedfrommoralfreedom;thatitisincumbenttomaketheformerharmonisewiththelawsandthelatterdependentonimpressions;itwouldbeexpedienttoremovetheformerstillfartherfrommatterandtobringthelattersomewhatmoreneartoit;inshorttoproduceathirdcharacterrelatedtoboththeothers-thephysicalandthemoral-pavingthewaytoatransitionfromtheswayofmereforcetothatoflaw，withoutpreventingtheproperdevelopmentofthemoralcharacter，butservingratherasapledgeinthesensuoussphereofamoralityintheunseen。
LetterIV。
Thusmuchiscertain。Itisonlywhenathirdcharacter，aspreviouslysuggested，haspreponderancethatarevolutioninastateaccordingtomoralprinciplescanbefreefrominjuriousconsequences;norcananythingelsesecureitsendurance。Inproposingorsettingupamoralstate，themorallawisrelieduponasarealpower，andfreewillisdrawnintotherealmofcauses，whereallhangstogethermutuallywithstringentnecessityandrigidity。Butweknowthattheconditionofthehumanwillalwaysremainscontingent，andthatonlyintheAbsoluteBeingphysicalcoexistswithmoralnecessity。Accordinglyifitiswishedtodependonthemoralconductofmanasonnaturalresults，thisconductmustbecomenature，andhemustbeledbynaturalimpulsetosuchacourseofactionascanonlyandinvariablyhavemoralresults。Butthewillofmanisperfectlyfreebetweeninclinationandduty，andnophysicalnecessityoughttoenterasasharerinthismagisterialpersonality。Ifthereforeheistoretainthispowerofsolution，andyetbecomeareliablelinkinthecausalconcatenationofforces，thiscanonlybeeffectedwhentheoperationsofboththeseimpulsesarepresentedquiteequallyintheworldofappearances。Itisonlypossiblewhen，witheverydifferenceofform，thematterofman’svolitionremainsthesame，whenallhisimpulsesagreeingwithhisreasonaresufficienttohavethevalueofauniversallegislation。
Itmaybeurgedthateveryindividualmancarries，withinhimself，atleastinhisadaptationanddestination，apurelyidealman。Thegreatproblemofhisexistenceistobringalltheincessantchangesofhisouterlifeintoconformitywiththeunchangingunityofthisideal。Thispureidealman，whichmakesitselfknownmoreorlessclearlyineverysubject，isrepresentedbythestate，whichistheobjectiveand，sotospeak，canonicalforminwhichthemanifolddifferencesofthesubjectsstrivetounite。
Nowtwowayspresentthemselvestothethought，inwhichthemanoftimecanagreewiththemanofidea，andtherearealsotwowaysinwhichthestatecanmaintainitselfinindividuals。Oneofthesewaysiswhenthepureidealmansubduestheempiricalman，andthestatesuppressestheindividual，oragainwhentheindividualbecomesthestate，andthemanoftimeisennobledtothemanofidea。
Iadmitthatinaone-sidedestimatefromthepointofviewofmoralitythisdifferencevanishes，forthereasonissatisfiedifherlawprevailsunconditionally。Butwhenthesurveytakeniscompleteandembracesthewholeman（anthropology），wheretheformisconsideredtogetherwiththesubstance，andalivingfeelinghasavoice，thedifferencewillbecomefarmoreevident。Nodoubtthereasondemandsunity，andnaturevariety，andbothlegislationstakemaninhand。Thelawoftheformerisstampeduponhimbyanincorruptibleconsciousness，thatofthelatterbyanineradicablefeeling。Consequentlyeducationwillalwaysappeardeficientwhenthemoralfeelingcanonlybemaintainedwiththesacrificeofwhatisnatural;andapoliticaladministrationwillalwaysbeveryimperfectwhenitisonlyabletobringaboutunitybysuppressingvariety。Thestateoughtnotonlytorespecttheobjectiveandgenericbutalsothesubjectiveandspecificinindividuals;andwhilediffusingtheunseenworldofmorals，itmustnotdepopulatethekingdomofappearance，theexternalworldofmatter。
Whenthemechanicalartistplaceshishandontheformlessblock，togiveitaformaccordingtohisintention，hehasnotanyscruplesindoingviolencetoit。Forthenatureonwhichheworksdoesnotdeserveanyrespectinitself，andhedoesnotvaluethewholeforitsparts，butthepartsonaccountofthewhole。Whenthechildofthefineartssetshishandtothesameblock，hehasnoscrupleseitherindoingviolencetoit，heonlyavoidsshowingthisviolence。Hedoesnotrespectthematterinwhichheworks，andmorethanthemechanicalartist;butheseeksbyanapparentconsiderationforittodeceivetheeyewhichtakesthismatterunderitsprotection。Thepoliticalandeducatingartistfollowsaverydifferentcourse，whilemakingmanatoncehismaterialandhisend。Inthiscasetheaimorendmeetsinthematerial，anditisonlybecausethewholeservesthepartsthatthepartsadaptthemselvestotheend。Thepoliticalartisthastotreathismaterialmanwithaverydifferentkindofrespectfromthatshownbytheartistoffinearttohiswork。Hemustspareman’speculiarityandpersonality，nottoproduceadeceptiveeffectonthesenses，butobjectivelyandoutofconsiderationforhisinnerbeing。
Butthestateisanorganisationwhichfashionsitselfthroughitselfandforitself，andforthisreasonitcanonlyberealisedwhenthepartshavebeenaccordedtotheideaofthewhole。Thestateservesthepurposeofarepresentative，bothtopureidealandtoobjectivehumanity，inthebreastofitscitizens，accordinglyitwillhavetoobservethesamerelationtoitscitizensinwhichtheyareplacedtoit，anditwillonlyrespecttheirsubjectivehumanityinthesamedegreethatitisennobledtoanobjectiveexistence。Iftheinternalmanisonewithhimself，hewillbeabletorescuehispeculiarity，eveninthegreatestgeneralisationofhisconduct，andthestatewillonlybecometheexponentofhisfineinstinct，theclearerformulaofhisinternallegislation。Butifthesubjectivemanisinconflictwiththeobjectiveandcontradictshiminthecharacterofthepeople，sothatonlytheoppressionoftheformercangivethevictorytothelatter，thenthestatewilltakeupthesevereaspectofthelawagainstthecitizen，andinordernottofallasacrifice，itwillhavetocrushunderfootsuchahostileindividuality，withoutanycompromise。
Nowmancanbeopposedtohimselfinatwofoldmanner：eitherasasavage，whenhisfeelingsruleoverhisprinciples;orasabarbarian，whenhisprinciplesdestroyhisfeelings。Thesavagedespisesart，andacknowledgesnatureashisdespoticruler;thebarbarianlaughsatnature，anddishonoursit，butheoftenproceedsinamorecontemptiblewaythanthesavage，tobetheslaveofhissenses。Thecultivatedmanmakesofnaturehisfriend，andhonoursitsfriendship，whileonlybridlingitscaprice。
Consequently，whenreasonbringshermoralunityintophysicalsociety，shemustnotinjurethemanifoldinnature。Whennaturestrivestomaintainhermanifoldcharacterinthemoralstructureofsociety，thismustnotcreateanybreachinmoralunity;thevictoriousformisequallyremotefromuniformityandconfusion。Therefore，totalityofcharactermustbefoundinthepeoplewhichiscapableandworthytoexchangethestateofnecessityforthatoffreedom。
LetterV。
Doesthepresentage，dopassingevents，presentthischaracter？Idirectmyattentionatoncetothemostprominentobjectinthisvaststructure。
Itistruethattheconsiderationofopinionisfallen，capriceisunnerved，and，althoughstillarmedwithpower，receivesnolongeranyrespect。Manhasawakedfromhislonglethargyandself-deception，andhedemandswithimpressiveunanimitytoberestoredtohisimperishablerights。Buthedoesnotonlydemandthem;herisesonallsidestoseizebyforcewhat，inhisopinion，hasbeenunjustlywrestedfromhim。Theedificeofthenaturalstateistottering，itsfoundationsshake，andaphysicalpossibilityseemsatlengthgrantedtoplacelawonthethrone，tohonourmanatlengthasanend，andtomaketruefreedomthebasisofpoliticalunion。Vainhope！Themoralpossibilityiswanting，andthegenerousoccasionfindsanunsusceptiblerule。
Manpaintshimselfinhisactions，andwhatistheformdepictedinthedramaofthepresenttime？Ontheonehand，heisseenrunningwild，ontheotherinastateoflethargy;thetwoextremeststagesofhumandegeneracy，andbothseeninoneandthesameperiod。
Inthelowerlargermasses，coarse，lawlessimpulsescometoview，breakingloosewhenthebondsofcivilorderareburstasunder，andhasteningwithunbridledfurytosatisfytheirsavageinstinct。Objectivehumanitymayhavehadcausetocomplainofthestate;yetsubjectivemanmusthonouritsinstitutions。Oughthetobeblamedbecausehelostsightofthedignityofhumannature，solongashewasconcernedinpreservinghisexistence？
Canweblamehimthatheproceededtoseparatebytheforceofgravity，tofastenbytheforceofcohesion，atatimewhentherecouldbenothoughtofbuildingorraisingup？Theextinctionofthestatecontainsitsjustification。
Societysetfree，insteadofhasteningupwardintoorganiclife，collapsesintoitselements。
Ontheotherhand，thecivilizedclassesgiveusthestillmorerepulsivesightoflethargy，andofadepravityofcharacterwhichisthemorerevoltingbecauseitrootsinculture。Iforgetwhooftheolderormorerecentphilosophersmakestheremark，thatwhatismorenobleisthemorerevoltinginitsdestruction。Theremarkapplieswithtruthtotheworldofmorals。Thechildofnature，whenhebreaksloose，becomesamadman;buttheartscholar，whenhebreaksloose，becomesadebasedcharacter。Theenlightenmentoftheunderstanding，onwhichthemorerefinedclassespridethemselveswithsomeground，showsonthewholesolittleofanennoblinginfluenceonthemindthatitseemsrathertoconfirmcorruptionbyitsmaxims。Wedenynatureinherlegitimatefieldandfeelhertyrannyinthemoralsphere，andwhileresistingherimpressions，wereceiveourprinciplesfromher。
Whiletheaffecteddecencyofourmannersdoesnotevengranttonatureapardonableinfluenceintheinitialstage，ourmaterialisticsystemofmoralsallowsherthecastingvoteinthelastandessentialstage。Egotismhasfoundeditssystemintheverybosomofarefinedsociety，andwithoutdevelopingevenasociablecharacter，wefeelallthecontagionsandmiseriesofsociety。Wesubjectourfreejudgmenttoitsdespoticopinions，ourfeelingstoitsbizarrecustoms，andourwilltoitsseductions。Weonlymaintainourcapriceagainstherholyrights。Themanoftheworldhashisheartcontractedbyaproudself-complacency，whilethatofthemanofnatureoftenbeatsinsympathy;andeverymanseeksfornothingmorethantosavehiswretchedpropertyfromthegeneraldestruction，asitwerefromsomegreatconflagration。Itisconceivedthattheonlywaytofindashelteragainsttheaberrationsofsentimentisbycompletelyforegoingitsindulgence，andmockery，whichisoftenausefulchastenerofmysticism，slandersinthesamebreaththenoblestaspirations。Culture，farfromgivingusfreedom，onlydevelops，asitadvances，newnecessities;thefettersofthephysicalclosemoretightlyaroundus，sothatthefearoflossquencheseventheardentimpulsetowardimprovement，andthemaximsofpassiveobedienceareheldtobethehighestwisdomoflife。Thusthespiritofthetimeisseentowaverbetweenperversionsandsavagism，betweenwhatisunnaturalandmerenature，betweensuperstitionandmoralunbelief，anditisoftennothingbuttheequilibriumofevilsthatsetsboundstoit。
LetterVI。
HaveIgonetoofarinthisportraitureofourtimes？Idonotanticipatethisstricture，butratheranother-thatIhaveprovedtoomuchbyit。
YouwilltellmethatthepictureIhavepresentedresemblesthehumanityofourday，butitalsobodiesforthallnationsengagedinthesamedegreeofculture，becauseall，withoutexception，havefallenofffromnaturebytheabuseofreason，beforetheycanreturntoitthroughreason。
Butifwebestowsomeseriousattentiontothecharacterofourtimes，weshallbeastonishedatthecontrastbetweenthepresentandthepreviousformofhumanity，especiallythatofGreece。Wearejustifiedinclaimingthereputationofcultureandrefinement，whencontrastedwithapurelynaturalstateofsociety，butnotsocomparingourselveswiththeGreciannature。Forthelatterwascombinedwithallthecharmsofartandwithallthedignityofwisdom，without，however，aswithus，becomingavictimtotheseinfluences。TheGreeksputustoshamenotonlybytheirsimplicity，whichisforeigntoourage;theyareatthesametimeourrivals，nay，frequentlyourmodels，inthoseverypointsofsuperiorityfromwhichweseekcomfortwhenregrettingtheunnaturalcharacterofourmanners。Weseethatremarkablepeopleunitingatoncefulnessofformandfulnessofsubstance，bothphilosophisingandcreating，bothtenderandenergetic，unitingayouthfulfancytothevirilityofreasoninaglorioushumanity。
AttheperiodofGreekculture，whichwasanawakeningofthepowersofthemind，thesensesandthespiriahadnodistinctlyseparatedproperty;
nodivisionhadyettornthemasunder，leadingthemtopartitioninahostileattitude，andtomarkofftheirlimitswithprecision。Poetryhadnotyetbecometheadversaryofwit，norhadspeculationabuseditselfbypassingintoquibbling。Incasesofnecessitybothpoetryandwitcouldexchangeparts，becausetheybothhonouredtruthonlyintheirspecialway。Howeverhighmightbetheflightofreason，itdrewmatterinalovingspiritafterit，and，whilesharplyandstifflydefiningit，nevermutilatedwhatittouched。ItistruetheGreekminddisplacedhumanity，andrecastitonamagnifiedscaleinthegloriouscircleofitsgods;butitdidthisnotbydissectinghumannature，butbygivingitfreshcombinations，forthewholeofhumannaturewasrepresentedineachofthegods。Howdifferentisthecoursefollowedbyusmoderns！Wealsodisplaceandmagnifyindividualstoformtheimageofthespecies，butwedothisinafragmentaryway，notbyalteredcombinations，sothatitisnecessarytogatherupfromdifferentindividualstheelementsthatformthespeciesinitstotality。
Itwouldalmostappearasifthepowersofmindexpressthemselveswithusinreallifeorempiricallyasseparatelyasthepsychologistdistinguishesthemintherepresentation。Forweseenotonlyindividualsubjects，butwholeclassesofmen，upholdtheircapacitiesonlyinpart，whiletherestoftheirfacultiesscarcelyshowagermofactivity，asinthecaseofthestuntedgrowthofplants。
Idonotoverlooktheadvantagestowhichthepresentrace，regardedasaunityandinthebalanceoftheunderstanding，maylayclaimoverwhatisbestintheancientworld;butitisobligedtoengageinthecontestasacompactmass，andmeasureitselfasawholeagainstawhole。Whoamongthemodernscouldstepforth，managainstman，andstrivewithanAthenianfortheprizeofhigherhumanity？
Whencecomesthisdisadvantageousrelationofindividualscoupledwithgreatadvantagesoftherace？WhycouldtheindividualGreekbequalifiedasthetypeofhistime？andwhycannomoderndaretoofferhimselfassuch？Becauseall-unitingnatureimparteditsformstotheGreek，andanall-dividingunderstandinggivesourformstous。
Itwascultureitselfthatgavethesewoundstomodernhumanity。Theinnerunionofhumannaturewasbroken，andadestructivecontestdivideditsharmoniousforcesdirectly;ontheonehand，anenlargedexperienceandamoredistinctthinkingnecessitatedasharperseparationofthesciences，whileontheotherhand，themorecomplicatedmachineryofstatesnecessitatedastrictersunderingofranksandoccupations。Intuitiveandspeculativeunderstandingtookupahostileattitudeinoppositefields，whoseborderswereguardedwithjealousyanddistrust;andbylimitingitsoperationtoanarrowsphere，menhavemadeuntothemselvesamasterwhoiswontnotunfrequentlytoendbysubduingandoppressingalltheotherfaculties。
Whilstontheonehandaluxuriantimaginationcreatesravagesintheplantationsthathavecosttheintelligencesomuchlabour，ontheotherhandaspiritofabstractionsuffocatesthefirethatmighthavewarmedtheheartandinflamedtheimagination。
Thissubversion，commencedbyartandlearningintheinnerman，wascarriedouttofullnessandfinishedbythespiritofinnovationingovernment。
Itwas，nodoubt，reasonabletoexpectthatthesimpleorganisationoftheprimitiverepublicsshouldsurvivethequaintnessofprimitivemannersandoftherelationsofantiquity。But，insteadofrisingtoahigherandnoblerdegreeofanimallife，thisorganisationdegeneratedintoacommonandcoarsemechanism。ThezoophyteconditionoftheGrecianstates，whereeachindividualenjoyedanindependentlife，andcould，incasesofnecessity，becomeaseparatewholeandunitinhimself，gavewaytoaningeniousmechanism，whence，fromthesplittingupintonumberlessparts，thereresultsamechanicallifeinthecombination。Thentherewasarupturebetweenthestateandthechurch，betweenlawsandcustoms;enjoymentwasseparatedfromlabour，themeansfromtheend，theeffortfromthereward。Manhimselfeternallychaineddowntoalittlefragmentofthewhole，onlyformsakindoffragment;
havingnothinginhisearsbutthemonotonoussoundoftheperpetuallyrevolvingwheel，heneverdevelopstheharmonyofhisbeing;andinsteadofimprintingthesealofhumanityonhisbeing，heendsbybeingnothingmorethanthelivingimpressofthecrafttowhichhedevoteshimself，ofthesciencethathecultivates。Thisverypartialandpaltryrelation，linkingtheisolatedmemberstothewhole，doesnotdependonformsthataregivenspontaneously;forhowcouldacomplicatedmachine，whichshunsthelight，conaideitselftothefreewillofman？Thisrelationisratherdictated，witharigorousstrictness，byaformularyinwhichthefreeintelligenceofmanischaineddown。Thedeadlettertakestheplaceofalivingmeaning，andapractisedmemorybecomesasaferguidethangeniusandfeeling。
Ifthecommunityorstatemeasuresmanbyhisfunction，onlyaskingofitscitizensmemory，ortheintelligenceofacraftsman，ormechanicalskill，wecannotbesurprisedthattheotherfacultiesofthemindareneglected，fortheexclusivecultureoftheonethatbringsinhonourandprofit。Suchisthenecessaryresultofanorganisationthatisindifferentaboutcharacter，onlylookingtoacquirements，whilstinothercasesittoleratesthethickestdarkness，tofavouraspiritoflawandorder;itmustresultifitwishesthatindividualsintheexerciseofspecialaptitudesshouldgainindepthwhattheyarepermittedtoloseinextension。Weareaware，nodoubt，thatapowerfulgeniusdoesnotshutupitsactivitywithinthelimitsofitsfunctions;butmediocretalentsconsumeinthecraftfallentotheirlotthewholeoftheirfeebleenergy;andifsomeoftheirenergyisreservedformattersofpreference，withoutprejudicetoitsfunctions，suchastateofthingsatoncebespeaksaspiritsoaringabovethevulgar。Moreover，itisrarelyarecommendationintheeyeofastatetohaveacapacitysuperiortoyouremployment，oroneofthosenobleintellectualcravingsofamanoftalentwhichcontendinrivalrywiththedutiesofoffice。Thestateissojealousoftheexclusivepossessionofitsservantsthatitwouldprefer-norcanitbeblamedinthis-forfunctionariestoshowtheirpowerswiththeVenusofCytherearatherthantheUranianVenus。
Itisthusthatconcreteindividuallifeisextinguished，inorderthattheabstractwholemaycontinueitsmiserablelife，andthestateremainsforeverastrangertoitscitizens，becausefeelingdoesnotdiscoveritanywhere。Thegoverningauthoritiesfindthemselvescompelledtoclassify，andtherebysimplify，themultiplicityofcitizens，andonlytoknowhumanityinarepresentativeformandatsecondhand。Accordinglytheyendbyentirelylosingsightofhumanity，andbyconfoundingitwithasimpleartificialcreationoftheunderstanding，whilstontheirpartthesubjectclassescannothelpreceivingcoldlylawsthataddressthemselvessolittletotheirpersonality。Atlengthsociety，wearyofhavingaburdenthatthestatetakessolittletroubletolighten，fallstopiecesandisbrokenup-adestinythathaslongsinceattendedmostEuropeanstates。Theyaredissolvedinwhatmaybecalledastateofmoralnature，inwhichpublicauthorityisonlyonefunctionmore，hatedanddeceivedbythosewhothinkitnecessary，respectedonlybythosewhocandowithoutit。
Thuscompressedbetweentwoforces，withinandwithout，couldhumanityfollowanyothercoursethanthatwhichithastaken？Thespeculativemind，pursuingimprescriptiblegoodsandrightsinthesphereofideas，mustneedshavebecomeastrangertotheworldofsense，andlosesightofmatterforthesakeofform。Onitspart，theworldofpublicaffairs，shutupinamonotonouscircleofobjects，andeventhererestrictedbyformulas，wasledtolosesightofthelifeandlibertyofthewhole，whilebecomingimpoverishedatthesametimeinitsownsphere。Justasthespeculativemindwastemptedtomodeltherealaftertheintelligible，andtoraisethesubjectivelawsofitsimaginationintolawsconstitutingtheexistenceofthings，sothestatespiritrushedintotheoppositeextreme，wishedtomakeaparticularandfragmentaryexperiencethemeasureofallobservation，andtoapplywithoutexceptiontoallaffairstherulesofitsownparticularcraft。Thespeculativemindhadnecessarilytobecomethepreyofavainsubtlety，thestatespiritofanarrowpedantry;fortheformerwasplacedtoohightoseetheindividual，andthelattertoolowtosurveythewhole。
Butthedisadvantageofthisdirectionofmindwasnotconfinedtoknowledgeandmentalproduction;itextendedtoactionandfeeling。Weknowthatthesensibilityoftheminddepends，astodegree，ontheliveliness，andforextentontherichnessoftheimagination。Nowthepredominanceofthefacultyofanalysismustnecessarilydeprivetheimaginationofitswarmthandenergy，andarestrictedsphereofobjectsmustdiminishitswealth。Itisforthisreasonthattheabstractthinkerhasveryoftenacoldheart，becauseheanalysesimpressions，whichonlymovethemindbytheircombinationortotality;ontheotherhand，themanofbusiness，thestatesman，hasveryoftenanarrowheart，becauseshutupinthenarrowcircleofhisemploymenthisimaginationcanneitherexpandnoradaptitselftoanothermannerofviewingthings。
Mysubjecthasledmenaturallytoplaceinreliefthedistressingtendencyofthecharacterofourowntimestoshowthesourcesoftheevil，withoutitsbeingmyprovincetopointoutthecompensationsofferedbynature。
Iwillreadilyadmittoyouthat，althoughthissplittingupoftheirbeingwasunfavourableforindividuals，itwastheonlyroadopenfortheprogressoftherace。ThepointatwhichweseehumanityarrivedamongtheGreekswasundoubtedlyamaximum;itcouldneitherstoptherenorrisehigher。
Itcouldnotstopthere，forthesumofnotionsacquiredforcedinfalliblytheintelligencetobreakwithfeelingandintuition，andtoleadtoclearnessofknowledge。Norcoulditriseanyhigher;foritisonlyinadeterminatemeasurethatclearnesscanbereconciledwithacertaindegreeofabundanceandofwarmth。TheGreekshadattainedthismeasure，andtocontinuetheirprogressinculture，they，aswe，wereobligedtorenouncethetotalityoftheirbeing，andtofollowdifferentandseparateroadsinordertoseekaftertruth。
Therewasnootherwaytodevelopthemanifoldaptitudesofmanthantobringtheminoppositionwithoneanother。Thisantagonismofforcesisthegreatinstrumentofculture，butitisonlyaninstrument;foraslongasthisantagonismlasts，manisonlyontheroadtoculture。Itisonlybecausethesespecialforcesareisolatedinman，andbecausetheytakeonthemselvestoimposeanexclusivelegislation，thattheyenterintostrifewiththetruthofthings，andobligecommonsense，whichgenerallyadheresimperturbablytoexternalphaenomena，todiveintotheessenceofthings。Whilepureunderstandingusurpsauthorityintheworldofsense，andempiricismattemptstosubjectthisintellecttotheconditionsofexperience，thesetworivaldirectionsarriveatthehighestpossibledevelopment，andexhaustthewholeextentoftheirsphere。Whileontheonehandimagination，byitstyranny，venturestodestroytheorderoftheworld，itforcesreason，ontheotherside，toriseuptothesupremesourcesofknowledge，andtoinvokeagainstthispredominanceoffancythehelpofthelawofnecessity。
Byanexclusivespiritinthecaseofhisfaculties，theindividualisfatallyledtoerror;butthespeciesisledtotruth。Itisonlybygatheringupalltheenergyofourmindinasinglefocus，andconcentratingasingleforceinourbeing，thatwegiveinsomesortwingstothisisolatedforce，andthatwedrawitonartificiallyfarbeyondthelimitsthatnatureseemstohaveimposeduponit。Ifitbecertainthatallhumanindividualstakentogetherwouldneverhavearrived，withthevisualpowergiventhembynature，toseeasatelliteofJupiter，discoveredbythetelescopeoftheastronomer，itisjustaswellestablishedthatneverwouldthehumanunderstandinghaveproducedtheanalysisoftheinfinite，orthecritiqueofpurereason，ifinparticularbranches，destinedforthismission，reasonhadnotapplieditselftospecialresearches，andif，afterhaving，asitwere，freeditselffromallmatter，ithadnotbythemostpowerfulabstractiongiventothespiritualeyeofmantheforcenecessary，inordertolookintotheabsolute。Butthequestionis，ifaspiritthusabsorbedinpurereasonandintuitionwillbeabletoemancipateitselffromtherigorousfettersoflogic，totakethefreeactionofpoetry，andseizetheindividualityofthingswithafaithfulandchastesense？Herenatureimposesevenonthemostuniversalgeniusalimititcannotpass，andtruthwillmakemartyrsaslongasphilosophywillbereducedtomakeitsprincipaloccupationthesearchforarmsagainsterrors。
Butwhatevermaybethefinalprofitforthetotalityoftheworld，ofthisdistinctandspecialperfectingofthehumanfaculties，itcannotbedeniedthatthisfinalaimoftheuniverse，whichdevotesthemtothiskindofculture，isacauseofsuffering，andakindofmaledictionforindividuals。Iadmitthattheexercisesofthegymnasiumformathleticbodies;butbeautyisonlydevelopedbythefreeandequalplayofthelimbs。Inthesamewaythetensionoftheisolatedspiritualforcesmaymakeextraordinarymen;butitisonlythewell-temperedequilibriumoftheseforcesthatcanproducehappyandaccomplishedmen。Andinwhatrelationshouldwebeplacedwithpastandfutureagesiftheperfectingofhumannaturemadesuchasacrificeindispensable？Inthatcaseweshouldhavebeentheslavesofhumanity，weshouldhaveconsumedourforcesinservileworkforitduringsomethousandsofyears，andweshouldhavestampedonourhumiliated，mutilatednaturetheshamefulbrandofthisslavery-allthisinorderthatfuturegenerations，inahappyleisure，mightconsecratethemselvestothecureoftheirmoralhealth，anddevelopthewholeofhumannaturebytheirfreeculture。
Butcanitbetruethatmanhastoneglecthimselfforanyendwhatever？
Cannaturesnatchfromus，foranyendwhatever，theperfectionwhichisprescribedtousbytheaimofreason？Itmustbefalsethattheperfectingofparticularfacultiesrendersthesacrificeoftheirtotalitynecessary;
andevenifthelawofnaturehadimperiouslythistendency，wemusthavethepowertoreformbyasuperiorartthistotalityofourbeing，whicharthasdestroyed。
PartII。
LetterVII。
Canthiseffectofharmonybeattainedbythestate？Thatisnotpossible，forthestate，asatpresentconstituted，hasgivenoccasiontoevil，andthestateasconceivedintheidea，insteadofbeingabletoestablishthismoreperfecthumanity，oughttobebaseduponit。ThustheresearchesinwhichIhaveindulgedwouldhavebroughtmebacktothesamepointfromwhichtheyhadcalledmeoffforatime。Thepresentage，farfromofferingusthisformofhumanity，whichwehaveacknowledgedasanecessaryconditionofanimprovementofthestate，showsusratherthediametricallyoppositeform。IfthereforetheprinciplesIhavelaiddownarecorrect，andifexperienceconfirmsthepictureIhavetracedofthepresenttime，itwouldbenecessarytoqualifyasunseasonableeveryattempttoeffectasimilarchangeinthestate，andallhopeaschimericalthatwouldbebasedonsuchanattempt，untilthedivisionoftheinnermanceases，andnaturehasbeensufficientlydevelopedtobecomeherselftheinstrumentofthisgreatchangeandsecuretherealityofthepoliticalcreationofreason。
Inthephysicalcreation，natureshowsustheroadthatwehavetofollowinthemoralcreation。Onlywhenthestruggleofelementaryforceshasceasedininferiororganisations，naturerisestothenobleformofthephysicalman。Inlikemanner，theconflictoftheelementsofthemoralmanandthatofblindinstinctsmusthaveceased，andacoarseantagonisminhimself，beforetheattemptcanbehazarded。Ontheotherhand，theindependenceofman’scharactermustbesecured，andhissubmissiontodespoticformsmusthavegivenplacetoasuitableliberty，beforethevarietyinhisconstitutioncanbemadesubordinatetotheunityoftheideal。Whenthemanofnaturestillmakessuchananarchicalabuseofhiswill，hislibertyoughthardlytobedisclosedtohim。Andwhenthemanfashionedbyculturemakessolittleuseofhisfreedom，hisfreewilloughtnottobetakenfromhim。Theconcessionofliberalprinciplesbecomesatreasontosocialorderwhenitisassociatedwithaforcestillinfermentation，andincreasesthealreadyexuberantenergyofitsnature。Again，thelawofconformityunderonelevelbecomestyrannytotheindividualwhenitisalliedtoaweaknessalreadyholdingswayandtonaturalobstacles，andwhenitcomestoextinguishthelastsparkofspontaneityandoforiginality。
Thetoneoftheagemustthereforerisefromitsprofoundmoraldegradation;
ontheonehanditmustemancipateitselffromtheblindserviceofnature，andontheotheritmustreverttoitssimplicity，itstruth，anditsfruitfulsap;asufficienttaskformorethanacentury。However，Iadmitreadily，morethanonespecialeffortmaymeetwithsuccess，butnoimprovementofthewholewillresultfromit，andcontradictionsinactionwillbeacontinualprotestagainsttheunityofmaxims。Itwillbequitepossible，then，thatinremotecornersoftheworldhumanitymaybehonouredinthepersonofthenegro，whileinEuropeitmaybedegradedinthepersonofthethinker。Theoldprincipleswillremain，buttheywilladoptthedressoftheage，andphilosophywilllenditsnametoanoppressionthatwasformerlyauthorisedbytheChurch。Inoneplace，alarmedatthelibertywhichinitsopeningeffortsalwaysshowsitselfanenemy，itwillcastitselfintothearmsofaconvenientservitude。Inanotherplace，reducedtodespairbyapedantictutelage，itwillbedrivenintothesavagelicenseofthestateofnature。Usurpationwillinvoketheweaknessofhumannature，andinsurrectionwillinvokeitsdignity，tillatlengththegreatsovereignofallhumanthings，blindforce，shallcomeinanddecide，likeavulgarpugilist，thispretendedcontestofprinciples。
LetterVIII。
Mustphilosophythereforeretirefromthisfield，disappointedinitshopes？Whilstinallotherdirectionsthedominionofformsisextended，mustthisthemostpreciousofallgiftsbeabandonedtoaformlesschance？
Mustthecontestofblindforceslasteternallyinthepoliticalworld，andissociallawnevertotriumphoverahatingegotism？
Notintheleast。Itistruethatreasonherselfwillneverattemptdirectlyastrugglewiththisbrutalforcewhichresistsherarms，andshewillbeasfarasthesonofSaturninthe’Iliad’fromdescendingintothedismalfieldofbattle，tofighttheminperson。Butshechoosesthemostdeservingamongthecombatants，clotheshimwithdivinearmsasJupitergavethemtohisson-in-law，andbyhertriumphingforceshefinallydecidesthevictory。
Reasonhasdoneallthatshecouldinfindingthelawandpromulgatingit;itisfortheenergyofthewillandtheardouroffeelingtocarryitout。Toissuevictoriouslyfromhercontestwithforce，truthherselfmustfirstbecomeaforce，andturnoneoftheinstinctsofmanintoherchampionintheempireofphaenomena。Forinstinctsaretheonlymotiveforcesinthematerialworld。Ifhithertotruthhassolittlemanifestedhervictoriouspower，thishasnotdependedontheunderstanding，whichcouldnothaveunveiledit，butontheheartwhichremainedclosedtoit，andoninstinctwhichdidnotactwithit。
Whence，infact，proceedsthisgeneralswayofprejudices，thismightoftheunderstandinginthemidstofthelightdisseminatedbyphilosophyandexperience？Theageisenlightened，thatistosay，thatknowledge，obtainedandvulgarised，sufficestosetrightatleastourpracticalprinciples。
Thespiritoffreeinquiryhasdissipatedtheerroneousopinionswhichlongbarredtheaccesstotruth，andhasunderminedthegroundonwhichfanaticismanddeceptionhaderectedtheirthrone。Reasonhaspurifieditselffromtheillusionsofthesensesandfromamendacioussophistry，andphilosophyherselfraiseshervoiceandexhortsustoreturntothebosomofnature，towhichshehadfirstmadeusunfaithful。Whencethenisitthatweremainstillbarbarians？
Theremustbesomethinginthespiritofman-asitisnotintheobjectsthemselves-whichpreventsusfromreceivingthetruth，notwithstandingthebrilliantlightshediffuses，andfromacceptingher，whatevermaybeherstrengthforproducingconviction。Thissomethingwasperceivedandexpressedbyanancientsageinthisverysignificantmaxim：sapereaude。1[Footnote1：Daretobewise。]Daretobewise！Aspiritedcourageisrequiredtotriumphovertheimpedimentsthattheindolenceofnatureaswellasthecowardiceoftheheartopposetoourinstruction。ItwasnotwithoutreasonthattheancientMythosmadeMinervaissuefullyarmedfromtheheadofJupiter，foritiswithwarfarethatthisinstructioncommences。Fromitsveryoutsetithastosustainahardfightagainstthesenses，whichdonotliketoberousedfromtheireasyslumber。Thegreaterpartofmenaremuchtooexhaustedandenervatedbytheirstrugglewithwanttobeabletoengageinanewandseverecontestwitherror。Satisfiediftheythemselvescanescapefromthehardlabourofthought，theywillinglyabandontootherstheguardianshipoftheirthoughts。Andifithappensthatnoblernecessitiesagitatetheirsoul，theyclingwithagreedyfaithtotheformulasthatthestateandthechurchholdinreserveforsuchcases。Iftheseunhappymendeserveourcompassion，thoseothersdeserveourjustcontempt，who，thoughsetfreefromthosenecessitiesbymorefortunatecircumstances，yetwillinglybendtotheiryoke。Theselatterpersonspreferthistwilightofobscureideas，wherethefeelingshavemoreintensity，andtheimaginationcanatwillcreateconvenientchimeras，totheraysoftruthwhichputtoflightthepleasantillusionsoftheirdreams。Theyhavefoundedthewholestructureoftheirhappinessontheseveryillusions，whichoughttobecombatedanddissipatedbythelightofknowledge，andtheywouldthinktheywerepayingtoodearlyforatruthwhichbeginsbyrobbingthemofallthathasvalueintheirsight。Itwouldbenecessarythattheyshouldbealreadysagestolovewisdom：atruththatwasfeltatoncebyhimtowhomphilosophyowesitsname。2[Footnote2：TheGreekwordmeans，asisknown，loveofwisdom。]Itisthereforenotgoingfarenoughtosaythatthelightoftheunderstandingonlydeservesrespectwhenitreactsonthecharacter;toacertainextentitisfromthecharacterthatthislightproceeds;fortheroadthatterminatesintheheadmustpassthroughtheheart。Accordingly，themostpressingneedofthepresenttimeistoeducatethesensibility，becauseitisthemeans，notonlytorenderefficaciousinpracticetheimprovementofideas，buttocallthisimprovementintoexistence。
LetterIX。
Butperhapsthereisaviciouscircleinourpreviousreasoning？Theoreticalculturemustitseemsbringalongwithitpracticalculture，andyetthelattermustbetheconditionoftheformer。Allimprovementinthepoliticalspheremustproceedfromtheennoblingofthecharacter。But，subjecttotheinfluenceofasocialconstitutionstillbarbarous，howcancharacterbecomeennobled？Itwouldthenbenecessarytoseekforthisendaninstrumentthatthestatedoesnotfurnish，andtoopensourcesthatwouldhavepreservedthemselvespureinthemidstofpoliticalcorruption。
Ihavenowreachedthepointtowhichalltheconsiderationstendedthathaveengagedmeuptothepresenttime。Thisinstrumentistheartofthebeautiful;thesesourcesareopentousinitsimmortalmodels。
Art，likescience，isemancipatedfromallthatispositive，andallthatishumanlyconventional;botharecompletelyindependentofthearbitrarywillofmen。Thepoliticallegislatormayplacetheirempireunderaninterdict，buthecannotreignthere。Hecanproscribethefriendoftruth，buttruthsubsists;hecandegradetheartist，buthecannotchangeart。Nodoubt，nothingismorecommonthantoseescienceandartbendbeforethespiritoftheage，andcreativetastereceiveitslawfromcriticaltaste。Whenthecharacterbecomesstiffandhardensitself，weseescienceseverelykeepingherlimits，andartsubjecttotheharshrestraintofrules;whenthecharacterisrelaxedandsoftened，scienceendeavourstopleaseandarttorejoice。Forwholeagesphilosophersaswellasartistsshowthemselvesoccupiedinlettingdowntruthandbeautytothedepthsofvulgarhumanity。
Theythemselvesareswallowedupinit;but，thankstotheiressentialvigourandindestructiblelife，thetrueandthebeautifulmakeavictoriousfight，andissuetriumphantfromtheabyss。
Nodoubttheartististhechildofhistime，butunhappyforhimifheisitsdiscipleorevenitsfavourite。Letabeneficentdeitycarryoffingoodtimethesucklingfromthebreastofitsmother，letitnourishhimonthemilkofabetterage，andsufferhimtogrowupandarriveatvirilityunderthedistantskyofGreece。Whenhehasattainedmanhood，lethimcomeback，presentingafacestrangetohisownage;lethimcome，nottodelightitwithhisapparition，butrathertopurifyit，terribleasthesonofAgamemnon。Hewill，indeed，receivehismatterfromthepresenttime，buthewillborrowtheformfromanoblertimeandevenbeyondalltime，fromtheessential，absolute，immutableunity。There，issuingfromthepureetherofitsheavenlynature，flowsthesourceofallbeauty，whichwasnevertaintedbythecorruptionofgenerationsorofages，whichrollalongfarbeneathitindarkeddies。Itsmattermaybedishonouredaswellasennobledbyfancy，buttheeverchasteformescapesfromthecapricesofimagination。TheRomanhadalreadybenthiskneeforlongyearstothedivinityoftheemperors，andyetthestatuesofthegodsstooderect;thetemplesretainedtheirsanctityfortheeyelongafterthegodshadbecomeathemeformockery，andthenoblearchitectureofthepalacesthatshieldedtheinfamiesofNeroandofCommoduswereaprotestagainstthem。Humanityhaslostitsdignity，butarthassavedit，andpreservesitinmarblesfullofmeaning;truthcontinuestoliveinillusion，andthecopywillservetoreestablishthemodel。Ifthenobilityofarthassurvivedthenobilityofnature，italsogoesbeforeitlikeaninspiringgenius，formingandawakeningminds。Beforetruthcauseshertriumphantlighttopenetrateintothedepthoftheheart，poetryinterceptsherrays，andthesummitsofhumanityshineinabrightlight，whileadarkandhumidnightstillhangsoverthevatleys。
Buthowwilltheartistavoidthecorruptionofhistimewhichencloseshimonallhands？Lethimraisehiseyestohisowndignity，andtolaw;
lethimnotlowerthemtonecessityandfortune。Equallyexemptfromavainactivitywhichwouldimprintitstraceonthefugitivemoment，andfromthedreamsofanimpatiententhusiasmwhichappliesthemeasureoftheabsolutetothepaltryproductionsoftime，lettheartistabandontherealtotheunderstanding，forthatisitsproperfield。Butlettheartistendeavourtogivebirthtotheidealbytheunionofthepossibleandofthenecessary。Lethimstampillusionandtruthwiththeeffigyofthisideal;lethimapplyittotheplayofhisimaginationandhismostseriousactions，inshort，toallsensuousandspiritualforms;thenlethimquietlylaunchhisworkintoinfinitetime。