Section 344
Original German
344 Die Staaten, Völker und Individuen in diesem Geschäfte des Weltgeistes, stehen in ihrem besonderen bestimmten Principe auf, das an ihrer Verfassung und der ganzen Breite ihres Zustandes seine Auslegung und Wirklichkeit hat, deren sie sich bewußt und in deren Interesse vertieft, sie zugleich bewußtlose Werkzeuge und Glieder jenes innern Geschäftes sind, worin diese Gestalten vergehen, der Geist an und für sich aber, sich den Uebergang in seine nächste höhere Stufe vorbereitet und erarbeitet.
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.
344 States, peoples, and individuals in this business of the world spirit rise up in their particular determinate principle, which has its interpretation and actuality in their constitution and in the whole breadth of their condition, of which they are conscious and in whose interest they are absorbed, while they are at the same time unconscious instruments and members of that inner business, in which these shapes pass away, whereas spirit in and for itself prepares and works out for itself the transition to its next higher stage.
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.
344 States, peoples and individuals take part in this work of the world spirit. Each arises with its own particular, determinate principle. That principle is interpreted and made actual in its constitution and in the whole breadth of its condition. They are aware of this, and they are absorbed in its interests. Yet at the same time they are unconscious tools and members of that inner work, in which these forms pass away. Spirit in and for itself meanwhile prepares and works out for itself its passage to the next higher stage.
About this section
Section 344 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 346 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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