Friedrich Schiller: {Philosophy of Physiology}

1. Destiny of Man This much will, I think, have been proven firmly enough one day: that the universe were the work of an Infinite Understanding, and were designed according to an excellent plan. Just as it now flows from the design into reality through the almighty influence of divine power, and all powers are active and act on each other, like strings of a thousandvoiced instrument sounding together in one melody; so, in this way, the spirit1 of man, ennobled with divine powers, should discover from the single effects, cause and design; from the connection of causes and designs, the great plan of the Whole; from the plan, recognize the Creator, love Him, glorify Him; —or, more briefly, more sublimesounding in our ear: Man is here, so that he may strive toward the greatness of his Creator; that he may grasp the whole world with just a glance, as the Creator grasps it. Likeness-to-God [Gottgleichheit] is the destiny of man. Infinite, indeed, is this his Ideal; however, the spirit is eternal. Eternity is the measure of infinity; that is to say, man will grow eternally, but will never reach it. A soul, says a wise man of this century,2 which is enlightened to the degree that it has the plan of divine providence completely in its view, is the happiest soul. An Philosophy of Physiology (1779) Friedrich Schiller