Section 348
Original German
348 An der Spitze aller Handlungen, somit auch der welthistorischen, stehen Individuen als die das Substantielle verwirklichenden Subjectivitäten (§. 279. Anm. S. 289.).
Als diesen Lebendigkeiten der substantiellen That des Weltgeistes und so unmittelbar identisch mit derselben, ist sie ihnen selbst verborgen und nicht Object und Zweck (§. 344.), sie haben auch die Ehre derselben und Dank nicht bey ihrer Mitwelt (ebendas.) noch bey der öffentlichen Meynung der Nachwelt, sondern als formelle Subjectivitäten nur bey dieser Meynung ihren Theil als unsterblichen Ruhm.
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.
348 At the head of all actions, and so also of the world-historical ones, stand individuals, as the subjectivities that actualize the substantial (§ 279, Remark, p. 289).
As these living embodiments of the substantial deed of the world spirit, and thus immediately identical with it, that deed is hidden from them themselves and is not their object and end (§ 344); they also have the honor and thanks for it neither among their contemporaries (ibid.) nor in the public opinion of posterity, but, as formal subjectivities, have their share only in this opinion, as immortal glory.
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.
348 At the head of all actions, and so also of world-historical ones, stand individuals. They are the subjectivities that make the substantial real (§ 279, Remark, p. 289).
These individuals are the living embodiments of the world spirit's substantial deed, and so they are immediately identical with it. For that reason the deed is hidden from them and is not their object or purpose (§ 344). They also receive no honor or thanks for it from their contemporaries (same place), nor from the public opinion of later generations. As formal subjectivities, they get only their share in that opinion, as immortal fame.
About this section
Section 348 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 350 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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