There is a radical dualism between the empirical nature of man and its moral nature.
AFRIKAN SPIRThe antagonism between nationalities will lose all its acuteness on the day when neither the iniquitous tendency to oppression and domination, nor the perpetual danger of the threatening preparations for war will exist.
More Afrikan Spir Quotes
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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.
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.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
In which (or where) everyone is mainly (or mostly) trying to assert oneself in front of others (“devant les autres”, Fr.), to appear, and hoping to find in society (“mondaine”, Fr.) relationships some advantages for his interest and vanity (or vainglory or conceit”, Fr).
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In their country, two fellow coutrymen whose paths berely cross (or see each only only briefly) with inferrence, would effusively rush themselves up (or throw themselves) into each other arms if they would happen to meet in a desert, among Cannibles.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
Deep down, they are also related (or connected) among them; that they consider (or not) themselves as strangers, this just depends on the feeling (or sensation) that dictate their relationships.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
What we take for vainglory, ambition, love of power and riches (or wealth), is often, indeed, a need to mask this emptiness, a need to let one’s hair down (or to live it up), to put oneself on a false scent or trail. (de se donner le change”, Fr.)
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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 -
A man, engaged in his simple reflections in everyday life, will comprehend neither the possibility, nor the benefits of self-sacrifice, but, when given (“qu’on lui donne”, Fr.) a great cause to defend, and he will find only natural to sacrifice oneself for it.
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In this world everything that is won to the ideal, is an eternal (or imperishable, – “impérissable”, Fr.) good.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
Short-sighted (à courte vue”, Fr.) interests, which, when all is said and done, are also prejudicial (or detrimental, or harmful) to those very same that pursue them?
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The refinement of the consciousness and of the heart, are considered incidental (or subordinate) things.
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.
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For, when all is said and done, at what is aiming all this display (or deployment) of activity, if not to realized outward profits, to provide material pleasure (or enjoyment).
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The undertakings enter unto (“les engagements contractés”, Fr.), nothing assure that we will not break them, possibly (“éventuellement”, Fr.) in another.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
It is not the first time that men sell their birth right for a dish of lentils, and thus disown (or repudiate or deny) the best of thmeselves.
AFRIKAN SPIR