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to find occupation within themselves； and to expend themselves on moral self…adulation。
§ 31
It is quite otherwise with the prehensive relations that History has to do with。 In this sphere are
presented those momentous collisions between existing； acknowledged duties； laws； and rights；
and those contingencies which are adverse to this fixed system； — which assail and even destroy
its foundations and existence； whose tenor may nevertheless seem good；… on the large scale
advantageous； — yes； even indispensable and necessary。 These contingencies realise themselves in
History： they involve a general principle of a different order from that on which depends the
permanence of a people or a State。 This principle is an essential phase in the development of the
creating Idea； of Truth striving and urging towards ＇consciousness of＇ itself。 Historical men …
World…Historical Individuals … are those in whose aims such a general principle lies。
§ 32
Caesar； in danger of losing a position； not perhaps at that time of superiority； yet at least of
equality with the others who were at the head of the State； and of succumbing to those who were
just on the point of being his enemies； … belongs essentially to this category。 These enemies —
who were at the same time pursuing their personal aims — had the form of the constitution； and
the power conferred by an appearance of justice； on their side。 Caesar was contending for the
maintenance of his position； honour； and safety； and； since the power of his opponents included
the sovereignty over the provinces of the Roman Empire； his victory secured for him the conquest
of that entire Empire： and he thus became — though leaving the form of the constitution — the
Autocrat of the State。 That which secured for him the execution of a design； which in the first
instance was of negative import — the Autocracy of Rome； — was； however； at the same time an
independently necessary feature in the history of Rome and of the world。 It was not； then； his
private gain merely； but an unconscious impulse that occasioned the acplishment of that for
which the time was ripe。 Such are all great historical men — whose own particular aims involve
those large issues which are the will of the World…Spirit。 They may be called Heroes； inasmuch as
they have derived their purposes and their vocation； not from the calm； regular course of things；
sanctioned by the existing order； but from a concealed fount — one which has not attained to
phenomenal； present existence； — from that inner Spirit； still hidden beneath the surface； which；
impinging on the outer world as on a shell； bursts it in pieces； because it is another kernel than that
which belonged to the shell in question。 They are men； therefore； who appear to draw the impulse
of their life from themselves； and whose deeds have produced a condition of things and a plex
of historical relations which appear to be only their interest； and their work。
§ 33
Such individuals had no consciousness of the general Idea they were unfolding； while prosecuting
those aims of theirs； on the contrary； they were practical； political men。 But at the same time they
were thinking men； who had an insight into the requirements of the time — what was ripe for
development。 This was the very Truth for their age； for their world； the species next in order； so
to speak； and which was already formed in the womb of time。 It was theirs to know this nascent
principle； the necessary； directly sequent step in progress； which their world was to take； to make
this their aim； and to expend their energy in promoting it。 World…historical men — the Heroes of an
epoch — must； therefore； be recognised as it's clear…sighted ones； their deeds； their words are
the best of that time。 Great men have formed purposes to satisfy themselves； not others。 Whatever
prudent designs and counsels they might have learned from others； would be the more limited and
inconsistent features in their career； for it was they who best understood affairs； from whom
others learned； and approved； or at least acquiesced in their policy。 For that Spirit which had
taken this fresh step in history is the inmost soul of all individuals； but in a state of unconsciousness
which the great men in question aroused。 Their fellows； therefore； follow these soul…leaders； for
they feel the irresistible power of their own inner Spirit thus embodied。 If we go on to cast a look
at the fate of these World…Historical persons； whose vocation it was to be the agents of the
World…Spirit； — we shall find it to have been no happy one。 They attained no calm enjoyment；
their whole life was labour and trouble； their whole nature was nought else but their
master…passion。 When their object is attained they fall off like empty hulls from the kernel。 They
die early； like Alexander； they are murdered； like Caesar； transported to St。 Helena。； like
Napoleon。 This fearful consolation — that historical men have not enjoyed what is called
happiness； and of which only private life （and this may be passed under very various external
circumstances） is capable； — this consolation those may draw from history； who stand in need of
it； and it is craved by Envy — vexed at what is great and transcendent； — striving； therefore； to
depreciate it； and to find some flaw in it。 Thus in modern times it has been demonstrated ad
nauseam that princes are generally unhappy on their thrones； in consideration of which the
possession of a throne is tolerated； and men acquiesce in the fact that not themselves but the
personages in question are its occupants。 The Free Man； we may observe； is not envious； but
gladly recognises what is great and exalted； and rejoices that it exists。
§ 34
It is in the light of those mon elements which constitute the interest and therefore the passions
of individuals； that these historical men are to be regarded。 They are great men； because they
willed and acplished something great； not a mere fancy； a mere intention； but that which