[73] The law of divorce has since been passed again in France.—[Transl.]
[74] David Hume, Essays.
[75] A great German moralist, Fichte, denies, however, people having a right to voluntarily and systematically renounce marriage: “An unmarried person,” he says, “is but half a person. A fixed resolution not to marry is absolutely contrary to duty. Not to marry is, without its being one’s fault, a great misfortune; but not to marry through one’s fault is a great fault (Durch seine Schuld, eine grosse Schuld). It is not permitted to sacrifice this end to other ends, even where the service of the Church, or family or State duties, or, in fine, the repose of a contemplative life, are concerned; for there is no higher end for man than to be a complete man.” There is much truth in these words of Fichte, yet may we be permitted to think that his doctrine in this respect is pushed to excess, as well as that which forbids second marriages.
[76] La Famille. 4th Lecture.
[77] Du droit de la guerre et de la paix, I., II. ch. v. § 2.
[78] And that may be questioned.
[79] This duty to-day is imposed by law: “Primary instruction is obligatory for children of both sexes from six to thirteen years.” (Law of the 28th March, 1882, art. 4.)
[80] Fichte, System der Sittenlehre, Pt. III., ch. iii., § 29.
[81] Doctrine of happiness.
[82] Fichte is right here when he speaks of the exaggeration of this principle. But the principle itself is a true one, namely, that one should accustom children to act according to their own reason: it is the only means of teaching them liberty.