German Skepticism - The German Spirit

The skepticism of daring manliness is closely related to the genius for war and conquest. It made its first entrance into Germany in the person of the great Frederick. This skepticism despises, but nevertheless grasps, it undermines and takes possession. The German form of skepticism has kept Europe under dominion of the German spirit. Napoleon's astonishment when he saw Gerta reveals what had been regarded for centuries as the Germanspirit.