Section 291
Original German
291 Die Regierungsgeschäfte sind objectiver, für sich ihrer Substanz nach bereits entschiedener Natur (§. 287.) und durch Individuen zu vollführen und zu verwirklichen. Zwischen beyden liegt keine unmittelbare natürliche Verknüpfung; die Individuen sind daher nicht durch die natürliche Persönlichkeit und die Geburt dazu bestimmt. Für ihre Bestimmung zu demselben ist das objective Moment die Erkenntniß und der Erweis ihrer Befähigung, — ein Erweis, der dem Staate sein Bedürfniß, und als die einzige Bedingung zugleich jedem Bürger die Möglichkeit, sich dem allgemeinen Stand zu widmen, sichert.
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.
291 Government business is objective in character, already decided in its substance (§ 287), and must be performed and actualized by individuals. There is no immediate natural connection between the two; individuals are therefore not destined to it by natural personality and birth. The objective moment in their appointment is knowledge and proof of their competence—a proof that secures for the state its need, and at the same time, as the sole condition, secures for every citizen the possibility of devoting himself to the universal estate.
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.
291 The tasks of government are objective. By their substance they are already settled in nature (§ 287), and individuals must carry them out and make them real. No direct natural link joins the two. So individuals are not picked for these tasks by their natural personality or by birth. What decides who is picked is an objective factor: knowing that a person is fit for the work, and proof of it. This proof secures the state the people it needs. It is also the only condition, and so it gives every citizen the chance to devote himself to the universal class.
About this section
Section 291 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 293 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
Open the work page for the full contents, every edition, and the download links, or go back to Explore to browse other complete works in the European tradition. The reader keeps your place when you are signed in and lets you compare the original with each translation, one edition at a time.