Quotes · Quote card
Quotation from Philosophy of Right by G. W. F. Hegel
“When philosophy paints its grey in grey, one form of life has become old, and by means of grey it cannot be rejuvenated, but only known. The owl of Minerva takes its flight only when the shades of night are gathering.”
Philosophy of Right, Author's Preface (closing), trans. S. W. Dyde (1896)
The last lines of the Preface: philosophy understands a form of life only after it has matured, and cannot give it new youth.
Citation: "When philosophy paints its grey in grey, one form of life has become old, and by means of grey it cannot be rejuvenated, but only known. The owl of Minerva takes its flight only when the shades of night are gathering." — G. W. F. Hegel, Philosophy of Right, Author's Preface (closing), trans. S. W. Dyde (1896). (id hegel-philosophy-of-right-q3)
Portrait: Jakob Schlesinger - Hegel 1831, Jakob Schlesinger, Public domain.
