Section 244
Original German
244 Das Herabsinken einer großen Masse unter das Maaß einer gewissen Subsistenzweise, die sich von selbst als die für ein Mitglied der Gesellschaft nothwendige regulirt, — und damit zum Verluste des Gefühls des Rechts, der Rechtlichkeit und der Ehre, durch eigene Thätigkeit und Arbeit zu bestehen, — bringt die Erzeugung des Pöbels hervor, die hinwiederum zugleich die größere Leichtigkeit, unverhältnißmäßige Reichthümer in wenige Hände zu concentriren mit sich führt.
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.
244 The sinking of a large mass below the level of a certain standard of subsistence, which regulates itself of its own accord as the necessary one for a member of society, — and with it the loss of the feeling of right, of rectitude and of honor in maintaining oneself by one's own activity and labor, — brings about the creation of the rabble, which in turn brings with it, at the same time, a greater facility for concentrating disproportionate wealth in a few hands.
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.
244 A large mass of people may sink below a certain standard of living, which regulates itself on its own as the standard necessary for a member of society. — They then lose the feeling of right, of lawfulness, and of the honor of supporting themselves by their own activity and work. This brings about the creation of a rabble. At the same time it makes it easier to concentrate disproportionate wealth in a few hands.
About this section
Section 244 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 246 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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