"When a father inquired about the best method of educating his son in ethical conduct, a Pythagorean replied: 'Make him a citizen of a state with good laws.'"
This argument is simple. A citizen is subject to the laws of his or her society, so if that citizen desires to be an ethical citizen he or she must do so within the boundaries of those laws. If the society itself is corrupt, then the ethical man must act as an unethical citizen in order to preserve his ethics.
"What is reasonable is real; that which is real is reasonable."
In a bit of seemingly circular reasoning, here, Hegel explains his theory of the relationship of reality and logic. They are interchangeable. He believes that everything that exists in the material world must conform to logic. And on the other hand, a thing can only be reasonable if it is first real.
"But if they realize that their true freedom consists in the acceptance of principles, of laws which are their own, a synthesis of universal and particular interests becomes possible."
Hegel advocates for the integration of the individual with the society. With the goal of humanism in mind, he argues that for the benefit of the individual they should adhere to standards which are larger than themselves, those of the state. By following these additional standards and reconciling them with one's personal standards, then the process of transformation and of holistic thought can begin. The synthesis is a starting point in developing a more accurate system of standards.
"Uneducated people delight in argument and fault-finding, for it is easy to find fault, but difficult to recognize the good and its inner necessity."
In this quotation Hegel touches upon the heart of his arguments. He understands that a really truly "right" answer is enormously difficult. Satisfactory or good answers exist, but the correct ones, which are correct in every regard, must be pursued. This quote points out the foolishness of dwelling on fault or error because of its proliferation. The truly difficult thing is to correctly discern what is "right."
