The World as Will and Idea, Vol. I — Arthur Schopenhauer, trans. Haldane & Kemp

First of all, I wish the reader to recall the passage with which we closed the Second Book, — a passage occasioned by the question, which met us then, as to the end and aim of the wilL Instead of the answer to this question, it appeared clearly before us how, in all the grades of its manifestation, from the lowest to the highest, the will dispenses altogether with a final goal and aim. It always strives, for striving is its sole nature, which no atoiued gpai can put an end to. Therefore it is not susceptible of any final satisfaction, but can only be restrained by hindrances, while in itself it goes on tor ever. We see this in the simplest of all natural phenomena, gravity, which does not cease to strive and press towards a mathematical centre to reach which would be the annihilation both of itself and matter, and would not cease even if the whole universe were already rolled into one ball We see it in the other simple natural phenomena. A solid tends towards fluidity either by melting or dissolving, for only so will its chemical forces be free; rigidity is the imprisonment in which it is held by cold. The fluid tends towards the gaseous state, into which it passes at once as soon as all pressure is removed from it. No body is without relationship, i.e., without tendency or without desire and longing, as Jacob Bbhme would say. Electricity transmits its inner self-repulsion to infinity, though tihe mass of the earth absorbs the effect. ^3^ vanlffl^ is certemly, so^long as the pile "ST WOThin^^^ aimless, unceasingly repeated^ act of repulsion and attraction. 'The' existehce 6T the plant is just such a restless,

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uever satisfied striving, a ceaseless tendency through everascending forms, till the end, the seed, becomes a new starting-point ; and this repeated ad infinitum — nowhere an end, nowhere a final satisiaction, nowhere a restingplace.

It will also be remembered, from the Second Book, that the multitude of _natural_ forces and organised forms ever^^cre strive with each other for the matter in which they desire~Ecrappear, Ibr each of them only possesses what it has wreihe from th^oriiers- and thus ^ coiMtant internecine war is waged, from which, for tire most ^art, arises the resistance through which that striving, which constitutes the inner nature of eve ry ti ling, is a^ joints hindered; struggles in yairij^et, from its_jaature, cannot leave off; toils on laboriously tih .this phenomenon dies, when others eagerly seize its place and its matter.

We have long since recognised this striving, which constitutes the kernel and in-itself of everything, as identical with that which in us, where it manifests itself most distinctly in the light of the fullest consciousness, is called wiW.'" Its Tiindrance through an obstacle which places itself between it and~it3 temporary aim we , call steering, and, on the other hand, its attainment 0^ the end satisfacfion7~weri being, happiness. We may also transfer this terminology to the phenomena of the unconscious world, for though weaker in degree, they are identical in nature. IHien we see them involved in constant suffering, and without any continuing happiness. For all effort springs from defect — from discontent with one’s estate — is thus suffering so long as it is not satisfied ; but no satisfaction is lasting, rather it is always merely the sSrfing-point of a new effort. The striving we see everywhere hindereT^ in many ways, everywhere in conflict, and therefore always under the form of suffering. tens, if there is no final end of striving, there is no measure and~end~5F3ugenngi * ' " ~ ~

But what we only discover in unconscious Nature by sharpened observation, and with an effort, presents itself

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THE WORLD AS WILL.

BK. IV.