assent. It is impossible for
me to contend against it.

To harken to that voice, honestly and dispassionately, without
fear and without useless speculation to obey it--this is my sole
destination, this the whole aim of my existence. My life ceases to
be an empty sport, without truth or meaning. There is something to be
done, simply because it must be done--namely, that which conscience
demands of me who find myself in this particular position. I exist
solely in order that it may be fulfilled. To perceive it, I have
understanding; to do it, power.

Through these commandments of conscience alone come truth and reality
into my conceptions. I cannot refuse attention and obedience to them
without renouncing my destination. I cannot, therefore, withhold my
belief in the reality which they bring before me, without, at the same
time, denying my destination. It is absolutely true, without
further examination and demonstration--it is the first truth and the
foundation of all other truth and certainty--that I must obey that
voice. Consequently, according to this way of thinking, everything
becomes true and real for me which the possibility of such obedience
presupposes.

There hover before me phenomena in space, to which I transfer the idea
of my own being. I represent them to myself as beings of my own kind.
Consistent speculation has taught me or will teach me that these
supposed rational beings, without me, are only products of my own
conception; that I am necessitated, once for all, by laws of thought
which can be shown to exist, to represent the idea of myself out
of myself, and that, according to the same laws, this idea can be
transferred only to certain definite perceptions. But the voice of
my conscience cries to me: "Whatever these beings may be in and for
themselves, thou shalt treat them as subsisting for themselves, as
free, self-existing beings, entirely independent of thyself. Take
it for granted that they are capable of proposing to themselves aims
independently of thee, by their own power. Never disturb the execution
of these, their designs, but further them rather, with all thy might.
Respect their liberty. Embrace with love their objects as thine
own." So must I act. And to such action shall, will, and must all my
thinking be directed, if I have but formed the purpose to obey the
voice of my conscience. Accordingly, I shall ever consider those
beings as beings subsisting for themselves, and forming and
acco