"
"But suppose I have not got this instinct?" answered Barinskoi.
"Then you are an unhealthy exception."
"Prove it."
"The best proof is the continuance of mankind. If the instinct of
sympathy with others were to fail among men, humanity would long ago
have ceased to exist."
Barinskoi laughed.
"That is a convenient arrangement. Instinct then is the only
foundation for your duty, and the continuance of humanity is the
only sanction of your instinct. I will leave you to listen to your
instinct, and sympathize as much as you like, but for my part I
joyfully renounce this duty; the only punishment I should be afraid
of is the destruction of mankind, and that is not likely to happen
in my lifetime."
"There is another punishment," said Mayboom solemnly, "that I take
this bottle of champagne away from you on account of--your bad
behavior."
While he spoke he took away the bottle, and Barinskoi tried to get
it back again; a little struggle ensued. Dorfling put an end to it
by an emphatic "Please don't do that." Turning to Wilhelm he went
on:
"I do not believe in your idea of duty; you place instinct at the
foundation. I use another word. I call your instinct the foreboding
that each has of its being, and its outflow toward the eternal
phenomenon of principle.
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