The Renaissance in Italy desired the fulness of knowledge in this world, and did not look for its infinities in the world beyond.

In Germany the same desire made men call for the infinities of knowledge beyond the earth.

A few Italians, like Savonarola, like M.Angelo, did the same, and failed to redeem their world; but eternal aspiration dwelt in the soul of every German who had gained a religion.

In Italy, as the Renaissance rose to its luxury and trended to its decay, the pull towards personal righteousness made by belief in an omnipotent goodness who demands the subjection of our will to his, ceased to be felt by artists, scholars and cultivated society.

A man's will was his only law.