cause on the ground of their own understanding； their independent conviction and
opinion。
§ 26
We assert then that nothing has been acplished without interest on the part of the actors； and
— if interest be called passion； inasmuch as the whole individuality； to the neglect of all other actual
or possible interests and claims； is devoted to an object with every fibre of volition； concentrating
all its desires and powers upon it — we may affirm absolutely that nothing great in the World has
been acplished without passion。 Two elements； therefore； enter into the object of our
investigation； the first the Idea； the second the plex of human passions； the one the warp； the
other the woof of the vast arras…web of Universal History。 The concrete mean and union of the
two is Liberty； under the conditions of morality in a State。 We have spoken of the Idea of
Freedom as the nature of Spirit； and the absolute goal of History。 Passion is regarded as a thing of
sinister aspect； as more or less immoral。 Man is required to have no passions。 Passion； it is true； is
not quite the suitable word for what I wish to express。 I mean here nothing more than human
activity as resulting from private interests — special； or if you will； self…seeking designs — with this
qualification； that the whole energy of will and character is devoted to their attainment； that other
interests （which would in themselves constitute attractive aims）； or rather all things else； are
sacrificed to them。 The object in question is so bound up with the man's will； that it entirely and
alone determines the “hue of resolution” and is inseparable from it。 It has bee the very
essence of his v