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inclination have any influence in determining it。 By this the
pupil's attention is fixed upon the consciousness of his freedom；
and although this renunciation at first excites a feeling of pain；
nevertheless； by its withdrawing the pupil from the constraint of even
real wants； there is proclaimed to him at the same time a
deliverance from the manifold dissatisfaction in which all these wants
entangle him； and the mind is made capable of receiving the
sensation of satisfaction from other sources。 The heart is freed and
lightened of a burden that always secretly presses on it； when
instances of pure moral resolutions reveal to the man an inner faculty
of which otherwise he has no right knowledge； the inward freedom to
release himself from the boisterous importunity of inclinations； to
such a degree that none of them； not even the dearest； shall have
any influence on a resolution； for which we are now to employ our
reason。 Suppose a case where I alone know that the wrong is on my
side； and although a free confession of it and the offer of
satisfaction are so strongly opposed by vanity； selfishness； and
even an otherwise not illegitimate antipathy to the man whose rights
are impaired by me； I am nevertheless able to discard all these
considerations； in this there is implied a consciousness of
independence on inclinations and circumstances； and of the possibility
of being sufficient for myself； which is salutary to me in general for
other purposes also。 And now the law of duty； in consequence of the
positive worth which obedience to it makes us feel； finds easier
access through the respect for ourselves in the consciousness of our
freedom。 When this is well established； when a man dreads nothing more
than to find himself； on self…examination； worthless and
contemptible in his own eyes； then every good moral disposition can be
grafted on it； because this is the best； nay； the only guard that
can keep off from the mind the pressure of ignoble and corrupting
motives。
I have only intended to point out the most general maxims of the
methodology of moral cultivation and exercise。 As the manifold variety
of duties requires special rules for each kind； and this would be a
prolix affair； I shall be readily excused if in a work like this；
which is only preliminary； I content myself with these outlines。
CONCLUSION。
Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and
awe； the oftener and the more steadily we reflect on them： the
starry heavens above and the moral law within。 I have not to search
for them and conjecture them as though they were veiled in darkness or
were in the transcendent region beyond my horizon； I see them before
me and connect them directly with the consciousness of my existence。
The former begins from the place I occupy in the external world of
sense； and enlarges my connection therein to an unbounded extent
with worlds upon worlds and systems of systems； and moreover into
limitless times of their periodic motion； its beginning and
continuance。 The second begins from my invisible self； my personality；
and exhibits me in a world which has true infinity； but which is
traceable only by the understanding； and with which I discern that I
am not in a merely contingent but in a universal and necessary
connection； as I am also thereby with all those visible worlds。 The
former view of a countless multitude of worlds annihilates as it
were my importance as an animal creature； which after it has been
for a short time provided with vital power； one knows not how； must
again give back the matter of which it was formed to the planet it
inhabits （a mere speck in the universe）。 The second； on the
contrary； infinitely elevates my worth as an intelligence by my
personality； in which the moral law reveals to me a life independent
of animality and even of the whole sensible world； at least so far
as may be inferred from the destination assigned to my existence by
this law； a destination not restricted to conditions and limits of
this life； but reaching into the infinite。
But though admiration and respect may excite to inquiry； they cannot
supply the want of it。 What； then； is to be done in order to enter
on this in a useful manner and one adapted to the loftiness of the
subject？ Examples may serve in this as a warning and also for
imitation。 The contemplation of the world began from the noblest
spectacle that the human senses present to us； and that our
understanding can bear to follow in their vast reach； and it ended… in
astrology。 Morality began with the noblest attribute of human
nature； the development and cultivation of which give a prospect of
infinite utility； and ended… in fanaticism or superstition。 So it is
with all crude attempts where the principal part of the business
depends on the use of reason； a use which does not e of itself；
like the use of the feet； by frequent exercise； especially when
attributes are in question which cannot be directly exhibited in
mon experience。 But after the maxim had e into vogue； though
late； to examine carefully beforehand all the steps that reason
purposes to take； and not to let it proceed otherwise than in the
track of a previously well considered method； then the study of the
structure of the universe took quite a different direction； and
thereby attained an inparably happier result。 The fall of a
stone； the motion of a sling； resolved into their elements and the
forces that are manifested in them； and treated mathematically；
produced at last that clear and henceforward unchangeable insight into
the system of the world which； as observation is continued； may hope
always to extend itself； but need never fear to be pelled to
retreat。
This example may suggest to us to enter on the same path in treating
of the moral capacities of our nature； and may give us hope of a
like good result。 We have at hand the instances of the moral judgement
of reason。 By analysing these into their elementary conceptions； and
in default of mathematics adopting a process similar to that of
chemistry； the separation of the empirical from the rational
elements that may be found