§ 95
The result of this process is then that Spirit； in rendering itself objective and making this its being an
object of thought； on the one hand destroys the determinate form of its being； on the other hand
gains a prehension of the universal element which it involves； and thereby gives a new form to
its inherent principle。 In virtue of this； the substantial character of the National Spirit has been
altered； — that is； its principle has risen into another； and in fact a higher principle。
§ 96
It is of the highest importance in apprehending and prehending History to have and to
understand the thought involved in this transition。 The individual traverses as a unity various grades
of development； and remains the same individual； in like manner also does a people； till the Spirit
which it embodies reaches the grade of universality。 In this point lies the fundamental； the Ideal
necessity of transition。 This is the soul — the essential consideration — of the philosophical
prehension of History。
§ 97
Spirit is essentially the result of its own activity； its activity is the transcending of immediate； simple；
unreflected existence； — the negation of that existence； and the returning into itself。 We may
pare it with the seed； for with this the plant begins； yet it is also the result of the plant's entire
life。 But the weak side of life is exhibited in the fact that the mencement and the result are
disjoined from each other。 Thus also is it in the life of individuals and peoples。 The life of a people
ripens a certain fruit； its activity aims at the plete manifestation of the principle which it
embodies。 But this fruit does not fall back