No More Learning

31
Philosophy, he resolved to become the exponent of its prin- Iciples, and to rescue it from the obscurity which an uncouth
terminology had thrown around it. This attempt had indeed
been made already, and was still making, by a host of com-
mentators, but the majority of these were either deficient in
capacity, or, actuated by sordid motives, had eagerly seized
the opportunity of gain which the prevalent excitement af-
forded, and crowded the literary market with crude and su-
perficial productions. Fichte accordingly commenced an
expository abridgment of Kant's Critique of the faculty of
judgment . It was to be divided into two parts,--the one
devoted to the power of aesthetical, the other to that of teleo-
logical judgment. The first part was completed and sent to
his friend Weisshuhn for correction, but the progress of the
of the work was interrupted by events which caused him to
leave Leipzic: it was never finished, and no part of it was
published.
Interesting, and remarkable too, in this connexion, is the
following passage from a letter written about this time to a
literary friend:--
"If I am not deceived by the disposition of youth, which
is more ready to hope than to fear, the golden age of our
literature is at hand; it will be enduring, and may perhaps
surpass the most brilliant period in that of any other nation.
The seed which Lessing sowed in his letters, and in his 'Dra-
maturgic,' now begins to bear fruit. His principles seem
every day to be more extensively received, and made the
foundation of our literary judgments; and Goethe's 'Iphi-
genie' is the strongest proof of the possibility of their real-
ization. And it seems to me that he who in his twentieth
year wrote the 'Robbers,' will, sooner or later, tread in the
same path, and in his fortieth become our 'Sophocles. "
And so it was! --He who in his twentieth year wrote the
"Robbers," did literally in his fortieth produce his "Wallen-
stein," followed in brilliant succession by "Mary Stuart,"--
"The Maid of Orleans,"--and, last and brightest of the train,
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? 32
MEMOIR OF FICHTE.
by "William Tell,"--a parting gift to the world from the
"Sophocles" of Germany.
And now the time drew near which was at once to termi-
nate his struggles with fortune, and realize the dearest wish
of his heart. He had received many pressing invitations
from Rahn to return to Zurich, but he had hitherto declined
to do so until he should be enabled to earn for himself a
name and position in the world. "It would be disgraceful,"
said he, "were I to re-appear in Zurich, without having ac-
complished anything since I left it. What should I call my-
self? Suffer me at least to vindicate my claim to the name
of a Scholar. " No prospect, however, appearing of a perma-
nent settlement in Germany, it had been arranged that he
should return to Zurich in 1791, to be united to her whom
he most loved and honoured upon earth. The noble-minded
woman who was now to bind herself to him for ever, had
resolved that henceforth he should pursue his literary under-
takings free from the cares of life. Bat Fichte looked for-
ward to no period of inglorious repose; his ardent spirit had
already formed a thousand plans of useful and honourable
activity. "Not happiness, but labour," was his principle,--
a principle which ruled all his actions, in prosperity as well
as in adversity. His letters to Johanna Rahn, in anticipa-
tion of this joyful event, breathe the same dignified tender-
ness which characterized their earlier correspondence :--
"And so, dearest, I solemnly devote myself to thee,--con-
secrate myself to be thine. I thank thee that thou hast
thought me not unworthy to be thy companion on the jour-
ney of life. I have undertaken much: one day,--God grant
it be a distant one! --to take the place of thy noble father;
to become the recompense of thy early wisdom, of thy child-
like love, of thy steadfast virtue. The thought of the great
duties which I take upon me, makes me feel how little I am.
But the sense of the greatness of these duties shall exalt me,
and thy love, thy too favourable opinion of me, will lend to
my imperfection all that I want. There is no land of hap-
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? LETTERS TO JOHANNA RAHN.
33
piness here below,--I know it now,--but a land of toil, where j , ]every joy but strengthens us for greater labour. Hand in
hand we shall traverse it, and encourage and strengthen each
other, until our spirits--0 may it be together! --shall rise to
the eternal fountain of all peace. I stand now in fancy at
the most important point of my earthly existence, which
divides it into two different, very different portions,--and marvel at the unseen hand which has led me through the first dangerous part, through the land of perplexity and doubt! How long had I despaired of such a companion as
thou, in whom manly dignity and female tenderness are
united! What if I had contented myself with some decorat-
ed puppet of thy sex? That Being who rules all things was
kinder to me than, in the feeling of my unworthiness, I had
dared to wish or hope;--I was led to thee. That Being will
do yet more for me. We shall one day, 0 dearest, stand
again at the partition-wall which shall divide our whole life
into two parts,--into an earthly and a spiritual;--and then
shall we look back upon the latter part of the earthly which
we shall have traversed together, as we do now upon its first
part; and surely we shall then, too, marvel at the same wis-
dom which now calls forth our wonder, but with loftier feel-
ings and with clearer insight. I love to place myself in
that position
"The surest means of acquiring a conviction of a life after death is so to act in this life that we can venture to wish for another. He who feels that if there be a God he must look down graciously upon him, will not be disturbed by ar- Iguments against his being, and he needs none for it. He
who has sacrificed so much for virtue that he looks for recom-
pense in a future life, needs no proof of the reality of such a
life;--he does not believe in it,--he feels it. And so, thou
dear companion for this short life and for eternity, we shall
strengthen each other in this conviction, not by arguments
but by deeds. "
Lkipzic, 1st March 1791. "At the end of this month I shall be free, and have
determined to come to thee. I see nothing that can prevent
F
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MEMOin OF FICHTE.
mc. I indeed still await the sanction of my parents; but
I have been for a long time so well assured of their love,--
almost, if I may venture to say it, of their deference to my
opinion,--that I need not anticipate any obstacle on their
part.
>>? ? ***
And now, dearest, I turn to thee, passing over all things
unconnected with thee, which therefore do not interest me.
Is it true, or is it but a sweet dream, that I am so near to
the one best joy of my life,--the possession of the noblest
of souls, chosen and destined for me by the Creator from
among all other souls ? --that my happiness, my peace, shall be the object of your wishes, your cares, your prayers?
Could my feelings but flow to thee, warm as at this moment
they are streaming through my heart, and threatening to
burst it asunder!
"Accept me then, dearest maiden, with all my faults.
How glad am I to think that I give myself to one who can
take me with these faults; who has wisdom and strength
enough to love me with them all,--to help me to destroy
them, so that I may one day appear with her, purified from
all blemish, before Him who created us for each other! --
Never have I been more sincerely penetrated by this feeling
of my weakness, than since I received thy last letter, which
reminds me of the poverty of all that I have said to thee;
which reminds me of the vacillating state of mind in which
I have written to thee. 0 what a man I have been ! --People
have sometimes attributed to me firmness of character, and
I have been vain enough to accept their flattery as truth.
To what accident am I indebted for this opinion,--I who
have always allowed myself to be guided by circumstances,--
whose soul has constantly taken the colours of surround-
jing events? With great pretensions, which I could never
have maintained, I left Zurich. My hopes were all wrecked.
Out of despair, more than from taste, I threw myself into
the Kantian philosophy, and found peace, for which in truth
'T have to thank my good health and the free flight of my
fancy, and even deceived myself so far as to believe that the
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? LETTERS TO JOUANNA RA1IN.
35
6ubliuie thoughts which I imprinted upon my memory were
natives of my soul. Circumstances led me to another em-
ployment less satisfactory to the mind; and the change in
my mode of living,--the winter, which never agrees with
me,--an indisposition, and the troubles of a short journey,
--these things could disturb the deeply-rooted peace of the
philosopher, and bring me into a frightful humour! Shall
I always be thus tossed to and fro like a wave! Take thou
me, then, thou brave soul, and strengthen this indecision.
"Yet while I lament my inconstancy, how happy am I
that I can pour out these complaints to a heart which knows
me too well to misunderstand me! One of my feelings I
can acquit of all fickleness: I can say it boldly, that I have
never been untrue to thee, even in thought; and it is a
touching proof of thy noble character, that amid all thy
tender cares for me, thou hast never been anxious about
this.
"The day of my departure is not exactly fixed, and I
cannot determine it until I am about to set out. But it
will be one of the first days of April. I shall write to thee
of it, and I shall also write to thee on my journey. "
And now all his brightest dreams were about to be ful-
filled, his cup was brimming with anticipated delight, the
draught of joy was almost at his lips, when it was rudely
dashed from his grasp. The day of his departure was al-
ready fixed, when the bankruptcy of a mercantile house to
which Rahn had entrusted his property, threw the affairs of
the latter into disorder, and even threatened to reduce him
to indigence in his old age. Happily a part of his property
was ultimately saved; but, in the meantime at least, all plans
which were founded on his former prosperity were at an end.
His misfortunes brought upon him a lingering sickness, by
which he was reduced to the brink of the grave. His life
was preserved by the tender and unremitting cares of his
daughter. In those dark years, when scarcely a ray of hope
broke the gloom of present calamity, her conduct displayed
that high-minded devotion which bears inevitable suffering
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MEMOIR OF FICHTE.
without a murmur, and almost raises the passive above the
active virtues of our nature.
As for Fichte, he had now become inured to disappoint-
ment. His courage soon returned to him, and he encoun-
tered with unfaltering trust the new disappointment with
which fortune had visited him;--but he was filled with
chagrin at having no power either to alleviate, or to share,
the distress of one dearer to him than life itself. The
world with its difficulties and doubts was once more before
him, and once more his indomitable spirit rose superior to
them all. He obtained an appointment as tutor in the
house of a Polish nobleman at Warsaw, and having an-
nounced his departure to Johanna Rahn in a letter in
which he bids her be of good courage, and assures her ear-
nestly of his own faithfulness, he once more assumed his
pilgrim staff and turned his back upon Leipzic.
His diary written during this pedestrian journey to Po-
land evinces a clear and acute faculty of observation, and
sketches very distinctly the peculiarities of the Saxon and
Silesian character. One passage only, and that relative to a
different subject, is here quoted :--
"9th May. --Arrived at Bischofswerda in good time; drank
tea at the inn, and sent my letter to Rammenau. Soon ap-
peared my brother Gotthelf, the kind soul, whom I looked
for the previous day at Pillnitz; and immediately after him,
Gottlob. My father had not been at home, but he came
soon after--the good, honest, kind father! His look, his
tone, his reasoning,--how much good they always do me.
Take away all my learning, 0 God! and make me such a
good, true, faithful man ! --how much should I gain by the
exchange! "
On the 7th of June he arrived at Warsaw, and imme-
diately waited upon his employer the Count Von P .
The Count was a good, easy man, perfectly submissive to
the guidance of his wife, a vain, haughty, and whimsical
woman. Fichte's pronunciation of the French language was
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? VISIT TO KONIGSBERG.
37
found to be unsatisfatory, and his German bluntness of de-
meanour still more so. He soon discovered that this was
no place for him, where the teacher was regarded as the
hanger-on of the Countess, and no respect was paid to the
dignity of his profession. He resigned his office without
having entered upon its duties; and having with some diffi-
culty obtained from the Countess, by way of compensation,
a sum sufficient for his maintenance for the succeeding two
months, he resolved to visit Konigsberg, instead of returning
directly to his native country, in order that he might have
an opportunity of cultivating a personal acquaintance with
Kant, his great master in philosophy. Having preached in
the Evangelical Church at Warsaw before his departure, he
left that city on the 25th of June for Konigsberg.
Immediately on his arrival he visited Kant, but his first
impressions of the Critical Philosopher do not seem to have
been very favourable. His impetuous enthusiasm was chilled
by a cold, formal reception, and he retired deeply disappoint-
ed. Unwilling, however, to abandon the purpose which had
led him to Konigsberg, he sought some means of obtaining
a more free and earnest interview, but for some time with-
out success. At last he determined to write a " Kritik aller
Offenbarung" (Critique of all Revelation), which should
serve as an introduction. He began his labours on the 13th
July, and wrought with unremitting assiduity at his task.
It is perhaps one of the most touching and instructive passages of literary history, to find a young man, at a dis-
tance from his own country, without a friend, without even
the means of personal subsistence, and sustained only by
an ardent and indomitable love of truth, devoting himself
with intense application to the production of a systematic
work on one of the deepest subjects of philosophic thought
that he might thereby attain the friendship and confidence
of one whom he regarded as the greatest of living men.
The finished work,--a work which on its publication raised
him at once to the level of the most profound thinkers of
his age,--was sent to Kant on the 18th of August. He
went on the 23d to hear the opinion of the philosopher upon
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MEMOIR OF FIC1ITE.
it, and was kindly received. He heard a very favourable
judgment passed upon his book, but did not attain his prin-
cipal object--the establishment of a scientific confidence.
For the solution of his philosophical doubts he was referred
to the Critique of Pure Reason, or to some of the philo-
sopher's friends.
On revising his "Critique of all Revelation," he found
that it did not thoroughly express his profoundest thoughts
on the subject, and he therefore began to remodel and re-
write it. But here again he was overtaken by want. Count-
ing over his meagre store of money, he found that he had
only sufficient for another fortnight. Alone and in a
strange country, he knew not what to resolve upon. After
having in vain endeavoured to get some employment
through the friends to whom he had been introduced by
Kant, he determined, though with great reluctance, to reveal
to Kant himself the situation in which he was placed, and
request his assistance to enable him to return to his own
land. His letter to Kant on this subject is so strikingly
characteristic of its writer, and describes so truly his po-
sition at the time, that it is here given at length:--
2To Kant.
"You will pardon me, sir, if on the present occasion I
address you in writing rather than in speech.
"You have already favoured me with kind recommen-
dations which I had not ventured to ask from you,--a gene-
rosity which infinitely increases my gratitude, and gives me
courage to disclose myself entirely to you, which otherwise I
could not have ventured to do without your direct permission,
--a necessity which he who would not willingly reveal him-
self to every one, feels doubly towards a truly good man.
"In the first place, allow me to assure you, sir, that my
resolution to proceed from Warsaw to Konigsberg, instead
of returning to Saxony, was indeed so far an interested re-
solution, that it gave me an opportunity of expressing my
feelings towards the man to whom I owe all my convictions,
principles, character, and even the very effort to possess them,
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? PECUNIARY DIFFICULTIES.
39
--of profiting, so far as possible in a short time, by your
society, and, if allowed, of recommending myself to your
favourable notice in my after-life;--but that I never could
have anticipated my present need of your kindness, partly
because I considered Konigsberg to be fertile in resources,--
much more so for example than Leipzic,--and partly be-
cause I believed that, in the worst case, I should be able to
find employment in Livonia, through a friend who occupies
a creditable situation at Riga. I consider this assurance is
due,--partly to myself, that the feelings which flow purely
from my heart may not incur the suspicion of mean selfish-
ness ;--partly to you, because the free, open gratitude of one
whom you have instructed and improved, cannot be indif-
ferent to you.
"I have followed the profession of a private tutor for
five years, and during this time have felt so keenly its disa-
greeable nature,--to be compelled to look upon imperfections
which must ultimately entail the worst consequences, and
yet be hindered in the endeavour to establish good habits
in their stead,--that I had given it up altogether for a year
and a half, and, as I thought, for ever. I was induced again
to undertake this occupation in Warsaw, without due con-
sideration, by the ill-founded hope that I should find this
attempt more fortunate, and perhaps imperceptibly by a
view to pecuniary advantage,--a resolution the vanity of which has given rise to my present embarrassments. I now,
on the contrary, feel every day more strongly the necessity
of going over again, before the years of youth have altogether
passed away, all those things which the too-early praise of
well-meaning but unwise teachers,--an academic course al-
most completed before my entrance on the proper age of
youth,--and, since that time, my constant dependence on
circumstances,-- have caused me to neglect; and, resigning
all the ambitious views which have impeded my progress, to
train myself to all of which I am capable, and leave the rest
to Providence. This object I cannot attain anywhere more
surely than in my fatherland. I have parents, who cannot
indeed relieve my necessities, but with whom I can live at
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MEMOIR OF FICHTE.
less expense than elsewhere. I can there occupy myself
with literary pursuits--my true means of culture, to which
I must devote myself, and for which I have too much respect
to print anything of the truth of which I am not thorough-
ly assured. By a residence in my native province, too, I
could most easily obtain, as a village pastor, the perfect
literary quiet which I desire until my faculties are matured.
My best course thus seems to be to return home;--but I am
deprived of the means: I have only two ducats, and even
these are not my own, for I have yet to pay for my lodgings.
There appears, then, to be no rescue for me from this sit-
uation, unless I can find some one who, although unknown
to me, yet, in reliance upon my honour, will advance me the
necessary sum for the expenses of my journey, until the
time when I can calculate with certainty on being able to
make repayment. I know no one to whom I could offer
this security without fear of being laughed at to my face,
except you, excellent man.
"It is my maxim never to ask anything from another,
without having first of all examined whether I myself, were
the circumstances reversed, would do the same thing for
some one else. In the present case I have found that, sup-
posing I had it in my power, I would do this for any person
of whom I believed that he was animated by the principles
by which I know that I myself am now governed.
"I am so convinced of a certain sacrifice of honour in
thus placing it in pledge, that the very necessity of giv-
ing you this assurance seems to deprive me of a part of
it myself; and the deep shame which thus falls upon me
is the reason why I cannot make an application of this kind
verbally, for I must have no witnesses of that shame. My
honour seems to be really doubtful until the engagement be
fulfilled, because it is always possible for the other party to
suppose that I may never fulfil it. Thus I know, that if
you, sir, should consent to my request, I would think of you
with heartfelt respect and gratitude indeed, but yet with a
kind of shame; and that only after I had redeemed my
word would it be possible for me to call to mind with perfect
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? LETTER TO KANT.
41
satisfaction an acquaintance with which I hope to be hon-
oured during life. I know that these feelings arise from
temperament, not from principle, and are perhaps reprehen-
sible; but I cannot eradicate them until principle has ac-
quired sufficient strength to take their place, and so render
them superfluous. Thus far, however, I can rely upon my
principles, that, were I capable of forfeiting my word
pledged to you, I should despise myself for ever afterwards,
and could never again venture to cast a glance into my own
soul;--principles which constantly reminded me of you, and
of my own dishonour, must needs be cast aside altogether,
in order to free me from the most painful self-reproach.
"If I were well assured of the existence of such a mode
of thinking as this in a man, I would do that for him with
confidence, which I now ask from you. How and by what
means, I could assure myself, were I in your place, of the
existence of such principles, is likewise clear to me.
"If it be permitted me to compare very great things
with very small, I argue from your writings, most honoured
sir, a character in their author above the ordinary mass of
men, and, before I knew anything at all of your mode of
acting in common life, I would have ventured to describe it
as I now know it to be. For myself, I have laid open be-
fore you only a small part of my nature, at a time however
when I had no idea of making such a use as this of your
acquaintance, and my character is not sufficiently formed to
express itself fully;--but to compensate for this, you are
without comparison a better judge of men than I am, and
perhaps may have perceived, even from the little you have
seen of me, whether or not a love of truth and honour be-
longs to my character.
"Lastly,--and I add this with shame,--if I should be
found capable of forfeiting my pledge, my worldly reputation
is in your hands. It is my intention to become an author
in my own name, and when I leave Konigsberg, I wish to
request from you introductions to some literary men of your
acquaintance. To these, whose good opinion I would then
owe to you, it would be your duty to communicate my dis-
G
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? 42
MEMOIR OF FICHTE.
grace; as it would generally be a duty, I think, to warn the
world against a person of such incorrigible character as he
must needs be who could approach a man whose atmosphere
is untainted by falsehood, and, by assuming the outward
mien of honesty, deceive his acuteness, and so laugh to scorn
all virtue and honour.
"These were the considerations, sir, which induced me to
write this letter. I am very indifferent about that which
does not lie within my power, more indeed through temper-
ament and personal experience, than on principle. It is not
the first time that I have been in difficulties out of which I
could see no way; but it would be the first time that I re-
mained in them, if I did so now. Curiosity as to what is to
come of it, is generally all that I feel in such emergencies.
I merely adopt the means which appear the best to my
mind, and then calmly await the consequence. And I can
do this the more easily in the present case, that I place it
in the hands of a good and wise man. But in another
point of view I send off this letter with unwonted anxiety.
Whatever may be your determination, I shall lose some-
thing of comfort and satisfaction in my relation towards
you. If it be in the affirmative, I can indeed again acquire
what I have lost;--if in the negative, never.
**>>* >>
"For the tone which predominates in this letter, I can-
not, sir, ask your pardon. It is one of the distinctions of
sages, that he who speaks to them, speaks as a man to men.
As soon as I can venture to hope that I do not disturb you,
I shall wait upon you, to learn your resolution; and I am,
with heartfelt reverence and admiration," &c.
It is difficult to conceive of any circumstances short of
absolute inability, which could induce a man of refined
sentiments, and especially a scholar and a philosopher, to
refuse the request contained in this singular letter. We
are not informed of the cause of Kant's refusal, and can
therefore only hope that it arose from no motive less
honourable than that which animated his noble-minded
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? REMOVAL TO DANTZIG.
43
suitor. It is certain that Fichte continued, after this
occurrence, to regard Kant with the same sentiments of
deep admiration, and even reverence, which he had pre-
viously entertained towards him . But the request was
refused, and Fichte once more reduced to extremity. He
endeavoured to dispose of the manuscript of his "Kritik
aller Offenbarung;"--but Hartung, the bookseller to whom
Kant recommended him to apply, was from home, and he
offered it in vain to any other. The very heroism of his
life seemed to be the source of his ever-recurring diffi-
culties;--and truly, he who has resolved to lead a life of
high purpose and endeavour, must be content to relinquish
the advantages which are the common reward of plodding
worldliness or successful knavery. He does relinquish
them without a murmur, or rather he never seeks them ;--
his thoughts aspire to a loftier recompense, and that he
does surely attain.
But light once more dawned on these dark and hopeless
prospects; and that from a quarter whence it was least of
all expected. When the little money which he had remain-
ing was almost entirely exhausted, he received an invitation,
through the Court-preacher Schulz, to a tutorship in the
family of the Count of Krokow, in the neighbourhood of
Dantzig. Although, as we have seen, his views were now
directed to a life of literary exertion, yet necessity compelled
him to accept this proposal; and he entered on his new
employment, experiencing the most friendly reception and
the kindest attentions. The amiable character and excel-
lent abilities of the Countess rendered his residence in her
family not only happy, but interesting and instructive;--
his letters at this period are full of her praises. This
fortunate appointment was but the beginning of many
years of uninterrupted prosperity which now awaited him.
Fortune seemed at last to have tired of her relentless perse- \cutions, and now resolved to shine graciously upon his path.
Through the instrumentality of his friends at Konigsberg
he now made arrangements with Hartung for the publi-
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MEMOIR OF FICHTE.
cation of his "Kritik aller Offenbarung. " An unexpected
difficulty, however, prevented its immediate appearance.
When the book was submitted to the censorship of the
Dean of the Theological Faculty at Halle, where it was to be
printed, he refused his sanction on account of the principle
contained in it,-- That no proof of the divinity of a Revelation
can be derived from an appeal to Miracles occurring in con-
\nexion with it, but that the question of its authenticity can be
decided only by an examination of its contents. Fichte urged
that his book was a philosophical, not a theological essay,
and that therefore it did not properly come under the
cognizance of the Theological Faculty; but this plea was
urged in vain. His friends advised him to withdraw the
obnoxious passages; even Schulz, who united theological
orthodoxy with his ardent Kantism, advised him to do so.
But on this point Fichte was inflexible; he determined that
the book should be printed entire, or not printed at alL He
resolved, however, to consult Kant on the subject, as the
highest authority to whom he could appeal. As this
question has now for some time engaged the attention of
the philosophico-theological world of England and America,
it is deemed advisable to insert here the gist of this some-
what characteristic correspondence.
jficf)te to ISant.
*'22d January, 1792.
"A friend whom I respect has written to me a kind and
touching letter upon this subject, in which he requests that,
in the event of a possible revision of the work during the
delay which has occurred in printing, I should endeavour to
set two points, upon which we are at issue, in another light.
I have said, that faith in a given Revelation cannot reason-
ably be founded upon belief in Miracles, because no miracle
is demonstrable as such; but I have added in a note, that
it may be allowable to employ the idea of Miracles having
occurred in connexion with a Revelation, in order to direct
the attention of those who need the aid of outward and
sensible manifestations to the other sufficient grounds upon
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45
which the Revelation may be received as divine;--the only modification of the former principle which I can admit. I
have said, further, that a Revelation cannot extend the materials of either our dogmatic or our moral knowledge; but I admit, that upon transcendental objects, in the fact of
whose existence we believe, while we know nothing whatever
of the mode of that existence, it may furnish us with some-
thing in the room of experience,--something which, for
those who so conceive of such matters, shall possess a
subjective truth,--which, however, is not to be received as a
substantial addition to, but only as an embodied and formal manifestation of, those spiritual things possessed by us a
priori. Notwithstanding continued reflection upon these
points, I have hitherto discovered nothing which can justify
me in altering my conclusions. May I venture to ask you,
sir, as the most competent judge, to tell me in two words,
whether any other results upon these points are to be sought
for, and if so, in what direction;--or if these are the only
grounds on which a critique of the Revelation-idea can
safely proceed? If you will favour me with these two words
of reply, I shall make no use of them inconsistent with the
deep respect I entertain for you. As to my friend's letter,
I have already said in answer, that I do not cease to give
my attention to the subject, and shall always be ready to
retract what I am convinced is erroneous.
"As to the prohibition of the censor, after the clearly-
declared object of the essay, and the tone which predo-
minates throughout its pages, I can only wonder at it. I
cannot understand where the Theological Faculty acquired
the right to apply their censorship to such a mode of treat-
ing such a subject. "
Kant's fteplg.
"2d February, 1792.
"You desire to be informed by me whether any remedy
can be found against the strict censorship under which your
book has fallen, without entirely laying it aside. I answer,
none ;--so far as, without having read the book thoroughly,
I can determine from what your letter announces as its
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MEMOIR OF FICHTE.
leading principle, namely,--' that faith in a given Revelation
cannot reasonably be founded on a belief in Miracles. '
"For it inevitably follows from this, that a religion can
contain only such articles of faith as likewise belong to the
province of Pure Reason. This principle is in my opinion
quite unobjectionable, and does not abolish the subjective
necessity either of Revelation or of Miracle (for it may be
assumed, that whether or not it might have been possible
for Reason, unaided by Revelation, to have discovered those
articles of faith, which, now when they are actually before
us, may indeed be comprehended by Reason,--yet it may
have been necessary to introduce them by Miracles,--which,
however, now when religion can support itself and its
articles, need no longer be relied upon as the foundation of
belief):--but, according to the maxims which seem to be
adopted by the censor, this principle will not carry you
through. For, according to these, certain writings must be re-
ceived into the profession of faith according to their letter, since
it is difficult for the human understanding to comprehend
them, and much more for human reason to conceive of them
as true; and hence they really need the continued support
of Miracle, and thus only can become articles of reasonable
belief. The view which represents Revelation as merely a
sensible manifestation of these principles in accommodation
to human weakness, and hence as possessed of subjective
truth only, is not sufficient for the censor, for his views
demand the recognition of its objective truth according to
the letter.
"One way however remains open, to bring your book into
harmony with the ideas of the censor: i. e. if you can make
him comprehend and approve the distinction between a
dogmatic belief raised above all doubt, and a mere moral
admission resting on the insufficiency of reason to satisfy its own wants; for then the faith which good moral sentiment
reposes upon Miracle may probably thus express itself:
'Lord, I believe'--that is, I receive it willingly, although I
cannot prove it sufficiently--' help thou mine unbelief! '--
that is,' I have a moral faith in respect of all that I can draw
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? "KRITIK ALLER OFFENBARUNG. "
47
from the miraculous narrative for the purposes of inward
improvement, and I desire to possess an historical belief in
so far as that can contribute to the same end. My uninten-
tional non-belief is not confirmed unbelief. ' But you will not
easily make this distinction acceptable to a censor who, it
is to be feared, makes historical belief an unconditional re-
ligious duty.
"With these hastily, but not inconsiderately thrown out
ideas, you may do whatever seems good to you (provided
you are yourself convinced of their truth), without making
any direct or indirect allusion to him who communicates
them. "
dFic&te to Hant.
"17<<A February, 1792.
"Your kind letter has given me much gratification, as
well because of the goodness which so soon fulfilled my
request, as on account of the matter it contains: upon that
subject I now feel all the peace of mind which, next to one's
own conviction, the authority of a man who is honoured
above all other men can give.
"If I have rightly conceived your meaning, I have
actually pursued in my work the middle course which you
point out,--of distinguishing between an affirmative belief,
and a faith founded on moral considerations. I have en-
deavoured carefully to distinguish between that which,
according to my principle, is the only possible and reason-
able kind of faith in the divinity of a given Revelation
(that faith, namely, which has for its object only a certain
form of the truths of religion)--and the belief which accepts
these truths in themselves as postulates of Pure Reason.
This faith is only a free acceptance of the divine origin of a
particular form of religious truth, grounded on experience of
the efficacy of such a form as a means of moral perfection;
--such an acceptance, indeed, as no one can prove either to
himself or to others, but which, on the other hand, cannot
be refuted; an acceptance which is merely subjective, and,
unlike the faith of Pure Reason, is not universally binding,
since it is founded on individual experience alone. 1
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MEMOIR OF FICHTE.
believe that I have placed this distinction in a tolerably
clear light, and I have endeavoured to set forth fully the
practical consequences of these principles: namely, that
while they save us the labour of enforcing our own sub-
jective convictions upon others, they secure to every one
the undisturbed possession of everything in religion which
he can apply to his own improvement, and thus silence the
opponents of positive religion, not less than its dogmatical
defenders;--principles for which I do not deserve the anger
of the truth-loving theologian. But yet it has so fallen
out; and I am now determined to leave the book as it is,
and to allow the publisher to deal with the matter as he
chooses. "
The difficulty which gave rise to the preceding letters
was happily got rid of by a change in the censorship. The
new dean, Dr. Knapp, did not partake in the scruples of his
predecessor, and he gave his consent to the publication.
The work appeared at Easter 1792, and excited great atten-
htion in the literary world of Germany. At first it was
universally ascribed to Kant. The journals devoted to the
Critical Philosophy teemed with laudatory notices, until at
length Kant found it necessary publicly to disclaim the
paternity of the book by disclosing its real author.
The "Kritik aller Offenbarung" is an attempt to deter-
mine the natural and necessary conditions under which
alone a Revelation from a superior intelligence to man is
possible, and consequently to lay down the criteria by which
anything that claims the character of such a Revelation is
to be tested. The design, as well as the execution, of the
work is strikingly characteristic of its author; for, although
the form of the Kantian philosophy is much more distinctly
impressed upon this, his first literary production, than upon
his subsequent writings, yet it does not and cannot conceal
those brilliant qualities to which he owed his future fame.
That profound and searching intellect, which, in the pro-
vince of Metaphysics, cast aside as fallacious and deceptive
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? "KR1TIK ALLER OFFENBARUNG. " 49
those solid-seeming principles on which ordinary men are
content to take their stand, and clearing its way to the most
hidden depths of thought, sought there a firm foundation
on which to build a structure of human knowledge, whose
summit should tower as high above common faith as its
base was sunk deep below common observation,--does here,
when applied to a question of practical judgment, exhi-
bit the same clearness of vision, strength of thought, and
subtilty of discrimination. In the conduct of this inquiry,
Fichte manifests that single eye to truth, and reverent
devotion to her when found, which characterize all his
writings and his life. His book has nothing in common with those superficial attacks upon Revelation, or equally superficial defences of it, which are still so abundant, and which afford so much scope for petty personal animosities. The mathematician, while constructing his theorem, does
not pause to inquire who may be interested in its future
applications; nor does the philosopher, while calmly settling
the conditions and principles of knowledge, concern himself
about what opinions may ultimately be found incompatible
with them :--these may take care of themselves. Far
above the dark vortex of theological strife in which punier
intellects chafe and vex themselves in vain, Fichte struggles
forward to the sunshine of pure thought, which sectarianism
cannot see, because its weakened vision is already filled
with a borrowed and imperfect light. "Form and style,"
he says in his preface, "are my affair; the censure or
contempt which these may incur affects me alone ;--and that
is of little moment. The result is the affair of truth, and
that is of moment. That must be subjected to a strict, but
careful and impartial examination. I at least have acted
impartially. I may have erred, and it would be astonishing if I had not. What measure of correction I may deserve, let the public decide. Every judgment, however expressed,
I shall thankfully acknowledge; every objection which
seems incompatible with the cause of truth, I shall meet as
well as I can. To truth I solemnly devote myself, at this
my first entrance into public life. Without respect of party
H
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MEMOIR OF FICHTE.
or of reputation, I shall always acknowledge that to be truth
which I recognise as such, come whence it may; and never
acknowledge that which I do not believe. The public will
pardon me for having thus spoken of myself, on this first
and only occasion. It may be of little importance to the
world to receive this assurance, but it is of importance to
me to call upon it to bear witness to this my solemn vow. "
--Never was vow more nobly fulfilled!
In the spring of 1793, Fichte left Dantzig for Zurich, to
accomplish the wish dearest to his heart. A part of Rahn's
property had been saved from the wreck of his fortunes, and
had been increased by the prudence and economy of his
daughter. He was now anxious to see his children settled
beside him, and to resume his personal intercourse with his
destined son-in-law.