The fundamental ruin of our time is […] that it has become demoralized by intellectuality and has lost all character. So what I’ve got to watch out for, is, that my vocation, for the sake of God in heaven, doesn’t become – seriously! – a scientific discussion, so that a bunch of professors and private lecturers and the like would feel tempted to join in. No, either indirect sharing – or in full earnest, if that’s what it comes to, a matter of life and death. But above all not: scientific discussion.
Søren Kierkegaard,
The Journal NB29:7
Tidens Grund-Skade er […] at den er demoraliseret ved Intellectualitet og blevet charakteerløs. Det jeg derfor har at passe paa, er, at min Sag, da for Gud i Himlens Skyld, ikke bliver – alvorligt! – en videnskabelig Discussion, saa en Slump Professorer og Privatdocenter o: s: v: kunde have Lyst at deeltage i den. Nei, enten indirecte Meddelelse – eller for Alvor, om det saa var, til paa Liv og Død. Men for Alt ikke: videnskabelig Discussion.
Søren Kierkegaard,
Journalen NB29:7
