Sect. 318, as translated by T. M. Knox, (1952)

To be independent of public opinion is the first formal condition of achieving anything great or rational whether in life or in science. Great achievement is assured, however, of subsequent recognition and grateful acceptance by public opinion, which in due course will make it one of its own prejudices

— Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "To be independent of public opinion is the first formal condition of achieving anything great or rational whether in life or in science. Great achievement is assured, however, of subsequent recognition and grateful acceptance by public opinion, which in due course will make it one of its own prejudices" in the context of "Sect. 318, as translated by T. M. Knox, (1952)" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Source: Wikiquote: "Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel" (Quotes, Elements of the Philosophy of Right (1820/1821): Grundlinien der Philosophie des Rechts (1820/1821)) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

About Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (27 August 1770 – 14 November 1831) was a German philosopher considered one of the most important figures in German idealism. He is one of the fundamental figures of Western philosophy, with his influence extending to the entire range of contemporary philosophical issues, from aesthetics to ontology to politics, both in the analytic and continental tradition.