Hegel's Lectures on the History of Philosophy: Volume 3 (of 3)
Georg Hegel · en
The great army of the Crusaders gives us the best example of this. They
march forth on a holy errand, but on the way they give free vent to all
the passions, and in this the leaders show the example; the individuals
allow themselves to fall into violence and heinous sin. Their march
accomplished, though with an utter lack of judgment and forethought,
and with the loss of thousands on the way, Jerusalem is reached: it is
beautiful when Jerusalem comes in view to see them all doing penance in
contrition of heart, falling on their faces and reverently adoring. But
this is only a moment which follows upon months of frenzy, foolishness
and grossness, which everywhere displayed itself on their march. Animated
by the loftiest bravery, they go on to storm and conquer the sacred
citadel, and then they bathe themselves in blood, revel in endless
cruelties, and rage with a brutal ferocity. From this they again pass on
to contrition and penance; then they get up from their knees reconciled
and sanctified, and once more they give themselves up to all the
littleness of miserable passions, of selfishness and envy, of avarice and
cupidity: their energies are directed to the satisfaction of their lusts,
and they bring to nought the fair possession that their bravery had won.
This comes to pass because the principle is only present in them in its
implicitude as an abstract principle, and the actuality of man is not as
yet spiritually formed and fashioned. This is the manner in which the
opposition in actuality manifests itself.