Section 233
Original German
233 Diß ist zwar nur eine Möglichkeit des Schadens, aber daß die Sache nichts schadet, ist als eine Zufälligkeit gleichfalls nicht mehr; diß ist die Seite des Unrechts, die in solchen Handlungen liegt, somit der letzte Grund der polizeylichen Strafgerechtigkeit.
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.
233 This is, to be sure, only a possibility of harm; but that the thing does no harm is, as a contingency, equally no more than a possibility. This is the side of wrong that lies in such actions, and thus the ultimate ground of the punitive justice of the police.
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.
233 This is only a possibility of harm. But that the thing does no harm is likewise an accident and nothing more. This is the side of wrong that lies in such actions. It is therefore the final ground of the justice of police punishment.
About this section
Section 233 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 235 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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