Here then the heroism of the philosopher
approaches temerity, and the _Monologues_ are therefore open to three
reproaches: Ontologically, the position of man in the spiritual
universe is wrongly indicated; the individual soul, not being unique and
not springing from itself, can it be conceived without God?
Psychologically, the force of spontaneity in the _ego_ is allowed a
dominion too exclusive of any other. As a fact, it is not everything in
man. Morally, evil is scarcely named, and conflict, the condition of
true peace, is left out of count. So that the peace described in the
_Monologues_ is neither a conquest by man nor a grace from heaven; it is
rather a stroke of good fortune.
February 2d.--Still the _Monologues_. Critically I defended myself
enough against them yesterday; I may abandon myself now, without scruple
and without danger, to the admiration and the sympathy with which they
inspire me. This life so proudly independent, this sovereign conception
of human dignity, this actual possession of the universe and the
infinite, this perfect emancipation from all which passes, this calm
sense of strength and superiority, this invincible energy of will, this
infallible clearness of self-vision, this autocracy of the consciousness
which is its own master, all these decisive marks of a royal personality
of a nature Olympian, profound, complete, harmonious, penetrate the mind
with joy and heart with gratitude.
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