Page:Novalis Schriften - Volume 2.djvu/178

★ 168 ★ —and to make pretensions regarding their praxis and virtuosity.

54. But the excellence of representative democracy is undeniable. A more natural, more excellent person is a poet's dream. So, what remains of the rest—an artificial composition. The most excellent people of the nation complement each other—in this society, a pure spirit of society is ignited. The society's decrees are the spirit's emanations—and the ideal ruler is realized.

First, I am doubtful about the most excellent people in the nation and the ignition of the pure spirit. Regarding the contradictory experience, I don't want to tempt fate at all. It is clear as day that a living body cannot be formed from dead matter—a just, selfless, liberal people cannot be composed from from unjust, selfish and one-sided people. Of course, this is just the error of a one-sided majority, and it will yet go on for a long time before one is generally convinced of this simple truth. Such a majority of this type will not become virtuous, but on average choose the most narrow-minded and the most worldly-wise. Regarding the most narrow-minded, I see them as those for whom mediocrity has become second nature. The classic model of the great masses. Regarding the most worldly-wise—the most cunning toady of the great masses. Here, no spirit will ignite—and least of all a pure one—A great mechanism will be created—an inefficient routinization—from which only intrigue breaks through now and then. The reins of the government will vacillate to and fro between the letter and various party games. The despotism of an individual