Section 171
Original German
171 Die Familie als rechtliche Person gegen Andere hat der Mann als ihr Haupt zu vertreten. Ferner kommt ihm vorzüglich der Erwerb nach Außen, die Sorge für die Bedürfnisse, so wie die Disposition und Verwaltung des Familienvermögens zu. Dieses ist gemeinsames Eigenthum, so daß kein Glied der Familie ein besonderes Eigenthum, jedes aber sein Recht an das Gemeinsame hat. Dieses Recht und jene dem Haupte der Familie zustehende Disposition können aber in Collision kommen, indem das in der Familie noch Unmittelbare der sittlichen Gesinnung (§. 158.) der Besonderung und Zufälligkeit offen ist.
Musean translation
Machine-assisted Musean translation made directly from Hegel's German in the Berlin Nicolai first edition, dated 1821. Complete preface, introduction and sections 1–360, including the author's remarks and notes; no later Gans additions.
171 The man, as its head, has to represent the family as a legal person toward others. Further, it falls to him pre-eminently to acquire from outside, to care for the needs, as well as to dispose of and administer the family wealth. This is common property, so that no member of the family has a particular property, but each has his right to what is common. This right and the disposition belonging to the head of the family can, however, come into collision, since the element of the ethical disposition that is still immediate in the family (§ 158) is open to particularization and contingency.
Plain English translation
Independent machine-assisted Plain English translation made directly from the German first-edition source, not from the Musean edition or an existing English translation. Complete preface, introduction and sections 1–360 with the author's remarks and notes.
171 The family is a legal person toward others, and the man, as its head, has to represent it. The earning of income from outside, the care for needs, and the management and administration of the family's fortune also fall mainly to him. The fortune is common property, so that no member of the family has special property, but each has his right to the common property. This right and the power of disposal held by the head of the family can come into conflict, because what is still immediate in the family's ethical attitude (§ 158) is open to particularity and accident.
About this section
Section 171 is part of Elements of the Philosophy of Right by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. This page sets the German original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is section 173 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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