haps even costs not a few men
their lives。 This lay neither in the deed abstractedly； nor in the design of the man who mitted it。
But the action has a further general bearing。 In the design of the doer it was only revenge executed
against an individual in the destruction of his property； but it is moreover a crime； and that involves
punishment also。 This may not have been present to the mind of the perpetrator； still less in his
intention； but his deed itself； the general principles it calls into play； its substantial content entails it。
By this example I wish only to impress on you the consideration； that in a simple act； something
farther may be implicated than lies in the intention and consciousness of the agent。 The example
before us involves； however； this additional consideration； that the substance of the act；
consequently we may say the act itself； recoils upon the perpetrator； — reacts upon him with
destructive tendency。 This union of the two extremes — the embodiment of a general idea in the
form of direct reality； and the elevation of a speciality into connection with universal truth — is
brought to pass； at first sight； under the conditions of an utter diversity of nature between the two；
and an indifference of the one extreme towards the other。 The aims which the agent set before
them are limited and special； but it must be remarked that the agents themselves are int