Section 39
Original German
39 3) Die beschließende und unmittelbare Einzelheit der Person verhält sich zu einer vorgefundenen Natur, welcher hiermit die Persönlichkeit des Willens als ein Subjectives gegenübersteht, aber dieser als in sich unendlich und allgemein ist die Beschränkung, nur subjectiv zu seyn, widersprechend und nichtig. Sie ist das Thätige, sie aufzuheben und sich Realität zu geben, oder, was dasselbe ist, jenes Daseyn als das ihrige zu setzen.
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.
39 3) As an individuality that resolves and is immediate, the person relates to a nature they find before them; the personality of the will thus confronts this nature as something subjective. But for personality, as infinite and universal within itself, the limitation of being merely subjective is contradictory and null. Personality is what actively sublates this limitation and gives itself reality—or, what is the same, posits that existence as its own.
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.
39 3) The person’s deciding and immediate individuality relates to a nature it finds already there. The will’s personality thus stands opposed to nature as something subjective. But since this personality is inwardly infinite and universal, the restriction of being merely subjective contradicts it and has no validity. Personality is the activity of overcoming this restriction and giving itself reality—or, what is the same, positing that existence as its own.
About this section
Section 39 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 41 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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