Section 242
Original German
242 Das Subjective der Armuth und überhaupt der Noth aller Art, der schon in seinem Naturkreise jedes Individuum ausgesetzt ist, erfordert auch eine subjective Hülfe eben so in Rücksicht der besonderen Umstände als des Gemüths und der Liebe. Hier ist der Ort, wo bey aller allgemeinen Veranstaltung, die Moralität genug zu thun findet. Weil aber diese Hülfe für sich und in ihren Wirkungen von der Zufälligkeit abhängt, so geht das Streben der Gesellschaft dahin, in der Nothdurft und ihrer Abhilfe das Allgemeine herauszufinden und zu veranstalten, und jene Hülfe entbehrlicher zu machen.
Das Zufällige des Almosens, der Stiftungen, wie des Lampenbrennens bey Heiligenbildern u. s. f. wird ergänzt durch öffentliche Armen-Anstalten, Krankenhäuser, Straßenbeleuchtung u. s. w. Der Mildthätigkeit bleibt noch genug für sich zu thun übrig, und es ist eine falsche Ansicht, wenn sie der Besonderheit des Gemüths und der Zufälligkeit ihrer Gesinnung und Kenntniß diese Abhilfe der Noth allein vorbehalten wissen will, und sich durch die verpflichtenden allgemeinen Anordnungen und Gebote verletzt und gekränkt fühlt. Der öffentliche Zustand ist im Gegentheil für um so vollkommener zu achten, je weniger dem Individuum für sich nach seiner besondern Meynung, in Vergleich mit dem, was auf allgemeine Weise veranstaltet ist, zu thun übrig bleibt.
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.
242 The subjective side of poverty, and of distress of every kind to which each individual is already exposed within his natural sphere, calls also for subjective help, as much with regard to the particular circumstances as with regard to feeling and love. Here is the place where, whatever general provisions are made, morality finds enough to do. But because this help, in itself and in its effects, depends on contingency, society strives to discover and to arrange what is universal in need and its remedy, and so to make that help less necessary.
The contingency of almsgiving, of endowments, of the burning of lamps before the images of saints, and so on, is supplemented by public institutions for the poor, hospitals, street lighting, and the like. Charity still has enough left to do on its own account, and it is a false view when it wishes to reserve this relief of distress solely for the particularity of feeling and the contingency of its disposition and knowledge, and feels injured and offended by the obligatory general ordinances and commands. The public condition, on the contrary, is to be esteemed the more perfect, the less is left for the individual to do on his own, according to his private opinion, in comparison with what has been arranged in a general way.
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.
242 The subjective side of poverty, and of distress of every kind to which each individual is exposed even within his natural circle, also calls for subjective help. This help must suit the particular circumstances, and it must come from feeling and love. Here is the place where morality finds plenty to do, whatever general arrangements are made. But this help depends on chance, both in itself and in its effects. So society works to find what is universal in need and in relieving it, to put that into effect, and to make that personal help less necessary.
The chance element in giving alms, in endowments, and in burning lamps before images of saints, and so on, is made up for by public institutions for the poor, hospitals, street lighting, and the like. Charity still has plenty left to do. It is a wrong view when charity wants to keep the relief of need for itself alone, to be left to the particularity of feeling and the chance nature of its attitude and knowledge, and when it feels hurt and offended by general regulations and rules that impose obligations. On the contrary, a public condition of things should be judged more perfect the less is left for the individual to do on his own, according to his private opinion, compared with what is arranged in a general way.
About this section
Section 242 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 244 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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