"For two reasons, then, it is right to be content with that which happens to thee; the one because it was done for thee and prescribed for thee, and in a manner had reference to thee, originally from the most ancient causes spun with thy destiny; and the other because even that which comes severally to every man is to the power which administers the universe a cause of felicity and perfection, nay even of its very continuance. For the integrity of the whole is mutilated, if thou cuttest off anything whatever from the conjunction and the continuity either of the parts or of the causes. And thou dost cut off, as far as it is in thy power, when thou art dissatisfied, and in a manner triest to put anything out of the way."[348:16] FOOTNOTES: [306:1] By _Absolute Realism_ is meant that system of philosophy which defines the universe as the _absolute being_, implied in knowledge as its final object, but assumed to be independent of knowledge. In the _Spinozistic_ system this absolute being is conceived under the form of _substance_, or self-sufficiency; in _Platonism_ under the form of _perfection_; and in the _Aristotelian_ system under the form of a _hierarchy of substances_. [308:2] Burnet: _Early Greek Philosophy_, p. 185. [309:3] When contrasted with the temporal realm of "generation and decay," this ultimate object is often called the _eternal_. [311:4] Holland, 1632-1677. [312:5] Spinoza: _Ethics_, Part I. Translation by Elwes, p. 45. [314:6] _Ibid._, p. 49. [318:7] _Ibid._, pp. 77, 81. [329:8] Plato: _Symposium_, 211. Translation by Jowett. [330:9] Plato: _Republic_, 533. Translation by Jowett. [337:10] See Burnet: _Op. cit._, pp. 322-333. [338:11] Leibniz: _Discourse on Metaphysics_. Translation by Montgomery, p. 15. In so far as the monads are spiritual this doctrine tends to be subjectivistic. Cf. Chap. IX. [340:12] Leibniz: _New Essays on the Human Understanding_. Translation by Latta, p. 363. [344:13] Spinoza: _Op. cit._, Part IV. Translation by Elwes, p. 243. [345:14] Plato: _Op. cit._, 401. [347:15] Plato: _Symposium_, 210-211. Translation by Jowett. [348:16] Marcus Aurelius Antoninus: _Thoughts_. Translation by Long, p. 141. CHAPTER XI ABSOLUTE IDEALISM[349:1] [Sidenote: General Constructive Character of Absolute Idealism.]