Inaugural Address at Edinburgh University

THOMAS CARLYLE

Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) was a British historian and lecturer. Notable for his history on the French Revolution and for his fascination with heroes throughout history, Carlyle defined an era of British thought concerning matters of government, man, and art. In his inaugural address, April 2, 1866, on being installed as the rector of Edinburgh University, Carlyle (and Goethe) emphasized that a man—a true, hardworking, virtuous man—pushes on toward the goal, despite all obstacles or hindrances.

On the whole, I would bid you stand up to your work, whatever it may be, and not be afraid of it; not in sorrows or contradictions to yield, but to push on toward the goal.

I will wind up with a small bit of verse, which is from Goethe also, and has often gone through my mind. To me it has something of a modern psalm in it, in some measure. It is deep as the foundations, deep and high, and it is true and clear; no clearer man, or nobler and grander intellect has lived in the world, I believe, since Shakespeare left it. This is what the poet sings; a kind of road-melody or marching-music of mankind:

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The future hides in it

Gladness and sorrow;

We press still thorow,

Naught that abides in it

Daunting us,—onward.

And solemn before us,

Veiled, the dark Portal;

Goal of all mortal:—

Stars silent rest o’er us

Graves under us silent!

While earnest thou gazest,

Comes boding of terror,

Comes phantasm and error;

Perplexes the bravest

With doubt and misgiving.

But heard are the Voices,

Heard are the Sages,

The Worlds and the Ages:

“Choose well; your choice is

Brief, and yet endless.

Here eyes do regard you,

In Eternity’s stillness;

Here is all fulness,

Ye brave, to reward you;

Work, and despair not!”

Work, and despair not: Wir heissen euch hoffen, “We bid you be of hope!”—let that be my last word. Gentlemen, I thank you for your great patience in hearing me; and, with many most kind wishes, say Adieu for this time.