19/21 One must know how TO CONSERVE ONESELF--the best test of independence. A new order of philosophers is appearing; I shall venture to baptize them by a name not without danger. As far as I understand them, as far as they allow themselves to be understood--for it is their nature to WISH to remain something of a puzzle--these philosophers of the future might rightly, perhaps also wrongly, claim to be designated as "tempters." This name itself is after all only an attempt, or, if it be preferred, a temptation. Will they be new friends of "truth," these coming philosophers? But assuredly they will not be dogmatists. |