In civil society, people are private persons. Each has his own interest in view.

How does he reach his goal?

Only if he shapes his knowing and doing by universal rules. He must fit himself into the chain of connections. He must learn what others demand. And he must be able to do what others need. Without wanting to, he cultivates himself in this way.

What is cultivation?

Cultivation means grinding off what is raw and merely natural. A cultivated person can do what others do. He does not show off his own quirks. He pays attention to the matter at hand and to others. The uncultivated person lets himself go. He hurts others without meaning to.

Two false views:

Some say: The state of nature was innocent. Cultivation corrupts. Others say: Cultivation is only a means to pleasure and comfort. Both fail to grasp spirit.

Cultivation as liberation:

Spirit must pass through the hard world of needs. It must work there and shape itself. Precisely in this way it frees itself. It presses its seal on the external world. It finds itself at home in it. So cultivation is hard work. But it is the work of liberation.

Summary: In civil society, each person must follow universal rules. In this way he cultivates himself. Cultivation is hard work, but it is the path to freedom.