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 met
the case and fell in with the needs of the age。 This mode of considering them also excludes the
so…called “psychological” view; which — serving the purpose of envy most effectually … contrives
so to refer all actions to the heart; — to bring them under such a subjective aspect — as that their
authors appear to have done everything under the impulse of some passion; mean or grand; —
some morbid craving; — and on account of these passions and cravings to have been not moral
men。 Alexander of Macedon partly subdued Greece; and then Asia; therefore he was possessed
by a morbid craving for conquest。 He is alleged to have acted from a craving for fame; for
conquest; and the proof that these were the impelling motives is that he did that which resulted in
fame。 What pedagogue has not demonstrated of Alexander the Great — of Julius Caesar — that
they were instigated by such passions; and en; — whence the
conclusion immediately follows that he; the pedagogue; is a better man than they; because he has
not such passions; a proof of which lies in the fact that he does not conquer Asia; — vanquish
Darius and Porus; — but while he enjoys life himself lets others enjoy it too。 These psychologists
are particularly fond of contemplating those peculiarities of great historical figures which appertain
to them as private persons。 Man must eat and drink; he sustains relations to friends and
acquaintances; he has passing impulses and ebullitions of temper。 “No man is a hero to his
valet…de…chambre;” is a well…known proverb; I have added — and Goethe repeated it ten years