to

what　it　was　always　potentially：　So　Spirit　is　only　that　which　it　attains　by　its　own　efforts；　it　makes

itself　actually　what　it　always　was　potentially。　—　That　development　（of　natural　organisms）　takes

place　in　a　direct；　unopposed；　unhindered　manner。　Between　the　Idea　and　its　realisation　—　the

essential　constitution　of　the　original　germ　and　the　conformity　to　it　of　the　existence　derived　from　it

—　no　disturbing　influence　can　intrude。　But　in　relation　to　Spirit　it　is　quite　otherwise。　The　realisation

of　its　Idea　is　mediated　by　consciousness　and　will；　these　very　faculties　are；　in　the　first　instance；　sunk

in　their　primary　merely　natural　life；　the　first　object　and　goal　of　their　striving　is　the　realisation　of　their

merely　natural　destiny；　—　but　which；　since　it　is　Spirit　that　animates　it；　is　possessed　of　vast

attractions　and　displays　great　power　and　＇moral＇　richness。　Thus　Spirit　is　at　war　with　itself　；　it　has　to

overe　itself　as　its　most　formidable　obstacle。　That　development　which　in　the　sphere　of　Nature　is

a　peaceful　growth；　is　in　that　of　Spirit；　a　severe；　a　mighty　conflict　with　itself。　What　Spirit　really

strives　for　is　the　realisation　of　its　Ideal　being；　but　in　doing　so；　it　hides　that　goal　from　its　own　vision；

and　is　proud　and　well　satisfied　in　this　alienation　from　it。

§　62

Its　expansion；　therefore；　does　not　present　the　harmless　tranquillity　of　mere　growth；　as　does　that　of

organic　life；　but　a　stern　reluctant　working　against　itself。　It　exhibits；　moreover；　not　the　mere　formal

conception　of　development；　but　the　attainment　of　a　definite　result。　The　goal　of　attainment　we

determined　at　the　outset：　it　is　Spirit　in　its　pleteness；　in　its　essential　nature；　i。e。；　Freed