Page:Novalis Schriften - Volume 2.djvu/176

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48. The best state consists of indifferentists of this kind.

49. In an imperfect state, they are also the best citizens. They participate in all the good parts, quietly laugh over the deceptions of their contemporaries, and abstain from all evil. They don't change, while they know that every kind of change under these circumstance is only a new error, and that the best cannot come from outside. They leave everything with its dignity, and as they are not embarrassed—so no one embarrasses them, and they are everywhere welcome.

50. The current debate over forms of government is a debate over the preferences of mature elders or flourishing youth.

The Republic is the fluidum deferens of youth. Where there are young people, there is a republic.

With marriage, comes changes to the system. The married person demands order, security and peace—to live as a family in a family—in a regulated household—he seeks a true monarchy.

51. A prince without family spirit is not a monarch.

52. But what about a single, absolute father of the household? What kind of arbitrariness is one not subject to?

In all relative relationships, the individual once and for always subject to arbitrariness—and when I go to a desert—isn't it my primary interest to be subject to the arbitrariness of my own individuality? The individual, as such, is subject to chance according to his nature. In a complete democracy, I am subject to a great many, in a representative democracy to