Section 94
Original German
94 Das abstracte Recht ist Zwangsrecht, weil das Unrecht gegen dasselbe eine Gewalt gegen das Daseyn meiner Freyheit in einer äußerlichen Sache ist; die Erhaltung dieses Daseyns gegen die Gewalt hiemit selbst als eine äußerliche Handlung und eine jene erste aufhebende Gewalt ist.
Das abstracte oder strenge Recht sogleich von vornherein als ein Recht definiren, zu dem man zwingen dürfe, — heißt es an einer Folge auffassen, welche erst in dem Umwege des Unrechts eintritt.
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.
94 Abstract right is a right of compulsion, because wrong against it is a force against the existence of my freedom in an external thing; the preservation of this existence against that force is therefore itself an external action, and a force that cancels that first one.
To define abstract or strict right at the outset as a right to which one may compel is to grasp it by a consequence that enters only by the detour of wrong.
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.
94 Abstract right is a right of coercion. A wrong against it is an act of force against the existence of my freedom in an external thing. Preserving this existence against force is therefore itself an external act, a force that cancels the first force.
To define abstract or strict right from the outset as a right that may be enforced through coercion is to grasp it through a consequence that arises only by way of wrong.
About this section
Section 94 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 96 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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