Description of the Illuminati (1786) - Page 9

A decorative horizontal printer's ornament centered at the top of the page, consisting of symmetrical floral scrolls and leaf motifs.

...servation, knowledge, and the perfecting of oneself and others, indeed, to a certain extent, even compel them? Let Mr. Grünberger and others who have left in a state of discontent speak as they wish!

External signs! — Does the man even know them, or their meaning? They represent the purest and most sublime ideas and teachings of morality. Let Mr. Grünberger and others who have left in a state of discontent speak.

Men of importance, and of the most venerable and best character, became members of this "fanatical" lodge The author uses the word "schwärmerischen" (fanatical/enthusiastic) sarcastically here, mocking the labels used by the Order's enemies..

Where is fanaticism? In my opinion, it is found where adventurous, excessive, and unnatural...

...to provide character portraits of the candidates known to him. The eye of the researcher finds in facts, so many times, exactly the opposite of what one wanted to prevent by them. If I am not very much mistaken, this is certainly also the case here. This note likely refers to the "Quibus Licet," a practice where Illuminati members kept secret journals about their associates to ensure only the "virtuous" were promoted—a practice that critics saw as state-level spying.

Knowledge, Perfecting, Mr. Grünberger Joseph von Grünberger, a former member of the Illuminati who provided testimony to the Bavarian authorities that led to the group's suppression., External signs, Morality, Fanatical Lodge, Fanaticism original: "Schwärmerey"; in the 18th century, this was a derogatory term for irrational religious or philosophical zeal., Character portraits of candidates