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REFERENCE TO ETHICS. 377
results of my Ethics have been reproached, these results
had given umbrage even to Jean Paul, otherwise so
favourably disposed towards me, and had induced Herr
Riitze also (not knowing that the only course to be
adopted against me was silence) to write a book against
me in 1820, with the best intentions. They have since
become the standing rock of offence in my philosophy;
but I beg my readers to take into consideration, that it is
only in this north-western portion
of the ancient con
tinent, and even here only in Protestant countries, that the
term paradoxical can be applied to such things whereas
;
throughout the whole of vast Asia everywhere indeed,
where the detestable doctrine of Islam has not prevailed
over the ancient and profound Religions of mankind by dint
would rather have to fear the re
of fire and sword they
proach of being commonplace. I console myself therefore
with the thought that, when referred to the Upanishads
of the Sacred Vedas, my Ethics are quite orthodox, 1
and
that even with primitive, genuine Christianity they stand
in no contradiction. As to all other accusations of heresy,
I am well armoured and my breast is fortified with triple
steel.
1 I refer those who may wish to be briefly, yet thoroughly, informed
on this point, to the late Pasteur Bochinger s work :
" La vie contem
plative, ascetique et monastique chez lez peuples Bouddhistes," Stras
bourg, 1831.
OC