Only the whole story is now behind us, and, in view of the extensive material we have worked through, we must take a retrospective look at the gigantic corpse of the ruined man. Repetitio est mater studiorum. It does not examine the actual relation of man to nature, determined by industry and natural science, but proclaims a fantastic relation of man to nature. Saint Max who, like all saints, loves miracles, but can only perform a logical miracle, is annoyed because he cannot make the sun dance the cancan, he grieves because he cannot still the ocean, he is indignant because he must allow the mountains to tower to the sky.
Earthly physics knows nothing about a mechanical impact which becomes ineffective β unique physics alone has the merit of this discovery.
In this connection, Jacques le bonhomme cannot refrain from believing the Christian that he could move mountains, etc. Saint Max, poor in spirit, believes in the fantastic gas formations of the Christians arising from the decomposition of the ancient world.
The ancient Christian owned nothing in this world and was, therefore, satisfied with his imaginary heavenly property and his divine right to ownership.
That same primitive Christian who, in the imagination of Jacques le bonhomme, was the owner of the ancient world, actually belonged for the most part to the world of owners; he was a slave and could be sold on the market.
