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Johann Gottlieb Fichte

Johann Gottlieb Fichte Books

Philosopher

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“Was ich als Wahrheit finde, wie es auch immer laute, soll mir willkommen sein. Ich will wissen. Mit derselben Sicherheit, mit welcher ich darauf rechne, daß dieser Boden mich tragen wird, wenn ich darauf trete, daß dieses Feuer mich verbrennen würde, wenn ich mich ihm näherte, will ich darauf rechnen können, was ich selbst bin, und was ich sein werde. Und sollte man etwa dies nicht können, so will ich wenigstens das wissen, daß man es nicht kann: Und selbst diesem Ausgange der Untersuchung will ich mich unterwerfen, wenn er sich mir als Wahrheit entdeckt.”

WahrheitWissenBestimmungWollen
Author:Johann Gottlieb Fichte
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“Act! act!—it is to that end we are here. Should we fret ourselves that others are not so perfect as we are, when we ourselves are only somewhat less imperfect than they? Is not this our greatest perfection,—the vocation which has been given to us,—that we must labour for the perfecting of others? Let us rejoice in the prospect of that widely extended field which we are called to cultivate! Let us rejoice that power is given to us, and that our task is infinite!”

PracticeActivityPraxis
Book:The Vocation of Man
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“The correct relationship between the higher and lower classes, the appropriate mutual interaction between the two is, as such, the true underlying support on which the improvement of the human species rests. The higher classes constitute the mind of the single large whole of humanity; the lower classes constitute its limbs; the former are the thinking and designing [ Entwerfende ] part, the latter the executive part.”

ThinkingMindHumansTwoWholeHumanityClassSupportDesignHigherSpeciesImprovementFormerAppropriateLatterExecutivesMutualInteractionLimbsHuman SpeciesLower Class
Author:Johann Gottlieb Fichte
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“Only through blind Instinct, in which the only possible guidance of the Imperative is awanting, does the Power in Intuition remain undetermined; where it is schematised as absolute it becomes infinite; and where it is presented in a determinate form, as a principle, it becomes at least manifold. By the above-mentioned act of Intelligising, the Power liberates itself from Instinct, to direct itself towards Unity.”

DoeFormPrinciplesDirectAbsolutesInfiniteBlindUnityInstinctIntuitionGuidanceImperativesManifold
Author:Johann Gottlieb Fichte
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“The most reckless sinner against his own conscience has always in the background the consolation that he will go on in this course only this time, or only so long, but that at such a time he will amend. We may be assured that we do not stand clear with our own consciences so long as we determine or project, or even hold it possible, at some future time to alter our course of action.”

MayLongActionCoursesClearGoes OnProjectsConscienceDetermineBackgroundsSinnerConsolationAssuredRecklessFuture Time
Author:Johann Gottlieb Fichte
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“As to those in whom the will of God is not inwardly accomplished,-because there is no inward life in them, for they are altogether outward,-upon them the will of God is wrought as alone it can be; appearing at first sight bitter and ungracious, though in reality merciful and loving in the highest degree. To those who do not love God, all things must work together immediately for pain and torment, until, by means of the tribulation, they are led to salvation at last.”

FirstsMeanRealityPainTogetherLastsDegreesHighestAll ThingsSightSalvationGods WillBitterGod LoveAccomplishedWorking TogetherInwardTormentMercifulAppearingTribulation
Author:Johann Gottlieb Fichte
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