I consign myself to a new investigation of some of my statements, not to even further disturb the spirit of the philosophical Israelite, nor to reignite a conflict that burned so brightly once already, but solely and entirely with the intention of discharging a duty of deference that I owe. I had resolved to keep myself out of this affair from that time onwards, and to question in silence what I had justly or unjustly been accused of. For, I too am convinced that every truth must and will support itself, and even I could [117] not expect to be understood as I wanted, given so many different interests of so many different parties, even after many explanations. Unfortunately, my weak health supported this decision strongly enough and I would have stuck to it had you, venerable Kant!, not spoken out against me.