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.
AFRIKAN SPIRThere is a radical dualism between the empirical nature of man and its moral nature.
More Afrikan Spir Quotes
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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 -
The basic notion of justice, is that the rights of everybody are equals, in principle. In the rights of others, we have to respect our own rights. It is only in that condition that we can reasonnably require that it be respected by others.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
Arbitrariness and true liberty are as distinct from each other that the empirical nature is distinct from the higher nature of man.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
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 -
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 -
A swindler (or crook) of higher condition is more blameworthy than a vulgar scoundrel.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
System that maintain among nations a a perpetual distrust and tension, impose on them (or force or compel, “leur impose”, Fr.) formidable armies and crushing war budgets.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The distinction between right and wrong (“la distinction du bien et du mal”, Fr.), is nothing else than their unyielding (or implacable) opposition.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
We can already foresee a moment when it will bring about (“entraînera”, Fr.) severe (big, high, intense, – “grands”, Fr.) disasters,
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The more his character, by rising above material contingencies, widen, become free and independent.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
When under the influence of certain (or some) reasons (or causes) (alcohol, war, etc – added Spir here) the low instincts are unbridled (or unrestrained).
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).
AFRIKAN SPIR -
As long as men will not be freed from their errors and delusions, humanity will not be able to go towards (“marcher vers”, Fr.) the accomplishment of its true destinies.
AFRIKAN SPIR -
The brute appears (or come forward, “apparait”, Fr.) and rule over (or dominate), stifling every (“toute”, Fr.) noble, generous impulse; it is then the ruin (or downfall or decline) of any humanity in man.
AFRIKAN SPIR






