III
Volk, a special group, less cultured, unaltered in certain respects by the influence of civilization. There are marked implications of theories of universalism and democracy here. The largest part of the people are the most important and respectable.
In the following two passages we have a degree of characterization of the rabble:
XVII, 91: “den leider ist es nur Ein Ding, Poebelsinn und Tyrannei, mit zwei Namen genannt, wie die rechte und linke Seite.”
XXV, 323: “Volk heisst nicht der Poebel auf den Gassen, der singt und dichtet niemals, sondern schreyt und verstümmelt.”
These characterizations of Poebel suggest not a lack of culture but culture of a sort that has had a warping effect. If Volk is not this rabble and, yet, not the learned class, it must stand in some respects, at least, between the two. It is more dignified and respectable than the rabble; it has certain intellectual aptitudes and moral traits found among primitive peoples, but which are usually effaced by a high degree of civilization and culture.
I, 392: “O eine Schrift, die das ist, was eine Erbauungs—eine Bildungsschrift für den grössten, nutzbarsten und ehrwürdigsten Theil der Menschen, das Volk sein soll.” The author has been regretting that the weekly journals, religious books, and sermons are not suited to the common man, and suggests the kind of literature that would meet his needs. Volk is here the largest, most useful, and most respectable part of mankind. These people are to be edified and cultivated.
VII, 246: “die bei dem grossen ehrwürdigen Haufen Volk erregt werden müssen, wenn etwas würken soll. Dies Volk noch nicht zu Raisonnement gebildet, glaubt und handelt.” These are too naïve to have reason; Volk are the naïve, simple people.
VI, 294: Herder here calls the Bible “Orakel Gottes für den besten, grössten Theil der Menschheit, Kinder und Volk.”
VI, 309: “über den Euch noch immer Kind und Volk, der edelste Theil der Menschheit.”
VI, 443: “wie die Kindes- und Volkswelt sich das ursprünglich denken konnte.”
In these last three passages the mental capacity of Volk is that of a child, and the thought therefore implies for Volk a meager degree of education and culture.
VI, 104: “Wo sind in allen unsern Ländern Weisheitsschulen für den ehrwürdigen Theil unsers Publikum, den man das Volk nennet?” Herder says these are human beings who form the stock of the nation and distinguishes them from the nobility who would refuse to enlighten the Volk that these might be the better utilized by the nobility and the better become the subjects of their tyranny. Volk is here a class beneath the nobility, but ideally they are enlightened and made better by social contact and religious observances.
VI, 301: “Zu dem schrieb er fürs Volk; ich verstehe unter diesem Namen die Menge derer, die sich nicht durch die Sprachlehre zu Deutschen gebildet hatten.” Herder here refers to Luther and the people for whom he wrote; these were the less cultured people.
I, 298: “Weil damals noch nicht ein Unterschied zwischen der Sprache der Weisen und des Volks, zwischen der Denkart der Vornehmen und Geringen war; was Homer sang war die Sprache der Götter und zugleich eine veredelte Sprache des Pöbels.” Herder is speaking of Homer’s language and times. In the parallel the wise are the aristocratic; the Volk are those of humble rank.