Addresses to the German Nation

as the aforementioned impulse Refers to the "sensual self-interest" mentioned on the previous page as the driving force of the current age. might also completely understand and comprehend itself; and that through this clear insight into its nature, it might become deeply grounded and unshakably established in this, its living essence.

With us, more than with any other era since world history Weltgeschichte: the total history of humanity's development began, time moves with giant strides original: Riesenschritte. This refers to the rapid and shocking political changes occurring across Europe during the Napoleonic Wars.. Within the three years that have elapsed since my interpretation of the current historical period Zeitabschnitt: a distinct phase or epoch within Fichte's five-stage philosophy of history, this period has, somewhere, completely run its course and been concluded. Somewhere, selfishness original: Selbstsucht. Fichte argues that a society focused only on individual gain eventually loses the will to defend itself. has destroyed itself through its own complete development, in that it has thereby lost its very self and its independence; and, since it would not voluntarily set for itself any purpose other than itself, such an other and foreign purpose has been forced upon it by external violence A direct reference to the French occupation of Prussia. Fichte suggests that because the people lived only for themselves, they were conquered by a foreign power (Napoleon) and forced to serve his interests.. He who has once undertaken to interpret his time must also accompany its progress with his interpretation, should it gain such progress; and so it becomes my duty, before the same public original: Publikum. Fichte delivered these speeches at the Academy of Sciences in Berlin while the city was still occupied by French troops. before whom I [stated] something