opposition to this post, and enjoys in this criticism the firstfruit of the sense of power. Formerly the new generation, on the contrary, wished to build upon the older one, and begin to feel its power in not only adopting paternal views, but as far as possible tightening the bonds of observance. Criticism on the ancestors was at that time considered wicked: in our days the younger idealists make it their starting point.
177
To learn solitude.—Oh ye poor fellows in the large cities of the world's politics, ye young and gifted men, who, tormented by ambition, deem it your duty to give your opinion on every occurrence of the day—something always occurs; who, by thus raising up lust and noise, mistake yourselves for the rolling chariot of history; who, because you always listen, are always on the lookout for the moment when you may put in a word or two, and thereby lose all true productiveness. However desirous you may be of doing great deeds, the deep silence of pregnancy never comes to you! The event of the day sweeps you along like chaff, while you fancy that you are chasing the events—poor fellows! If you wish to pose as heroes on the stage, you must not think of forming the chorus, nay, not even know how the chorus is formed.
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The daily wear-end-tear.—These young men are
