Arbitrariness and true liberty are as distinct from each other that the empirical nature is distinct from the higher nature of man.
AFRIKAN SPIRThe divine element manifests itself (or show up) in man as well by his aptitude for science, than by his aptitude for virtue.
More Afrikan Spir Quotes
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Moral improvement (or perfecting) require an evolution leading to a higher consciousness, which is the true torch of life; it is what we have failed too much to appreciate, and that which would be fatal to fail to appreciate any longer (“pluslongtemps”, Fr.).
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The realization of justice is, in the actual state of things, a matter of life or death for society and for civilisation itself.
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In ancient times, any man rising up above the common people tried to shape his life according to his principles; it is no longer like than now; it is (because) for the ancients.
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(“La religion n’et pas une smple théorie, elle est une vie supérieure, dont la moralité fait partie intégrante – une vie vouée au culte du bien et du vrai, car Dieu, l’absolu est la source de toute perfection”, Fr.)
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The intellectual development of man, far from having get men away from war, has, rather, on the contrary, bring them to a refinment always more perfected in the art of killing.
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The natural sense of commiseration (or “sympathy”, – “commisération”, Fr.) for one’s fellow men – compassion, and the influence of education, by association of ideas (“par l’association d’idées”, Fr.) – habit.
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The more a man is successful in getting out (or coming out) from his own individuality, of his egoist self, and to control (or dominate) the instincts of his physical nature.
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Thus the moral consciousness is an innate and intimate revelation of the absolute, which goes beyond (or goes pass, or exceed) every empirical data (or given information).
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There are some who esteem that it is a naivety to believe that a moral regeneration may be possible (“soit possible”, Fr.); now, if this was not the case, it would not be worth the trouble that humanity continue to vegetate without aim.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
They even came to raise the methods of slaughter to the rank of “science”… We would not (On ne saurait”, Fr.) imagine a more extraordinary moral blindness!
AFRIKAN SPIR -
There is only one thing in the world that is really valuable, it is to do good.
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The appalling and shameful scene (“spectacle”, Fr.) of disarray and illogicality that manifest itself in the thought and deeds of men, will no longer be seen, once these will possess an enlighten consciouness.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
Moral was a principle of inner life, whereas in our days, most of the time one is content to adhere to an official moral, that we recognize in theory, but that one does not care to put into practice.
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We can, following the exemple of Kant, consider the moral development and improvement of men, as the supreme goal of human evolution.
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The undertakings enter unto (“les engagements contractés”, Fr.), nothing assure that we will not break them, possibly (“éventuellement”, Fr.) in another.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
Men spend their life down here in the worship of petty (or mean) interests and the search of perishable things, and with that (“et avec cela”, Fr.) they pretend to perpetuate for all eternity their self (“moi”, Fr.) so hardly worthy (“digne”, Fr.) of it.
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The military predominace of Sparte. This example proves that man can everything on themselves when they want it (“peuvent tout sur eux-mêmes quand ils le veulent”, Fr.); therefore it would only be a question of making them will the good.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The only one thing which is really valuable, it is to do good.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The feeling (“sens”, Fr.) of solidarity that is born amidst a community rest on the feeling of antagonism arouse (aroused ? arose ?… sorry, – “suscité”, Fr.) by those who are opposed to it.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
To sacrifice the moral to the physical, as is done in these days, is to sacrifice reality for a shadow.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
Experience shows that what great role pratice and experience play in education; pratice, the prolonged exercice lead to habit: exemple suggests imitation.
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A good man (“un homme de bien”, Fr.) never wholly perishes, the best part of his being outlives (or survives) in eternity.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
Apart from selfish reasons, such as fear of punishments, fear of blame, of dishonour, etc, there remains only two motives that can stop (or prevent, “empâecher”, Fr.) men from acting badly.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
Deep down, everything boils down (“au fond tout se ramène”, Fr.) to the following simple question; Do we really want justice and the realization in this world of higher principles, or else do we want to serve selfish.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The most sacred duty, the supreme and urgent work, is to deliver humanity from the malediction of Cain – fratricidal war.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
In the actual state of social relationships, the forms (“formes”, Fr.) of politeness are necessary as a subsitute to benevolence.
AFRIKAN SPIR