I fear it will be very hard for me in a short paper to give more than a general idea of the relations of German philosophy and the dreadful war into which her rulers, either purposely or by their wretched diplomacy, have plunged Europe and the overseas dominions of Great Britain. Philosophy, just because of its comprehensive character, and because by its nature it eschews prophecy when it is true to itself, never acts immediately and directly upon life; but while this is true, it would be a great mistake to imagine that it has no influence whatever. The forces that in the long run are most powerful are those which work quietly and unostentatiously; and of these not the least important are those speculative ideas that, since the time of Plato, philosophers have believed to exercise a profound influence on human character and human action. If this seems a hard saying, it will perhaps appear more intelligible if we remember that in our complex modern civilization such ideas are not confined to those whose special function it is to build up or to defend philosophical systems, but include all who reflect in a large and comprehensive way upon the world in which we live, the foundations of human conduct, and the principles that lie at the basis of the universe. It is, I am convinced, only apparently paradoxical to say, that the fierce conflict which even now convulses the world is at bottom the clash of opposing ideals of life rather than the shock of armed hosts. Ideas, as Luther said, are living things with hands and feet.