Addresses to the German Nation

...they should only look after the interests of this party of theirs if they themselves were to appear as writers; as public officials, however, they have no party at all. They must grant a hearing to reason German: Verstand. In Fichte's philosophical context, this refers to the capacity for rational thought and logical understanding.—which, in any case, seeks their permission far less often than ignorance German: Unverstand, literally "un-understanding" or folly. does—just as they daily permit the latter to indulge its every whim and necessity. Under no circumstances are they authorized to prevent any voice from being heard simply because it strikes their ears as strange or paradoxical.