Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

Thomas Kingsmill Abbott's translation, 1895. 10 parts, about 30,670 words, 2 hours of reading. Source edition.

Passages the guide marks

Nothing in the world, or even out of it, can possibly be conceived which could be called good without qualification except a good will.
Section 1, opening · Read it in First Section: Transition from the Common Rational Knowledge of Morality to the Philosophical
Act only according to that maxim whereby thou canst at the same time will that it should become a universal law.
Section 2 · Read it in Second Section: Transition from Popular Moral Philosophy to the Metaphysic of Morals
So act as to treat humanity, whether in thine own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end withal, never as means only.
Section 2 · Read it in Second Section: Transition from Popular Moral Philosophy to the Metaphysic of Morals
A shopkeeper who does not overcharge an inexperienced customer acts honestly, Kant says, but only from self-interest, and his conduct has no moral worth.
Section 1 · Read it in First Section: Transition from the Common Rational Knowledge of Morality to the Philosophical
In the kingdom of ends, whatever has a price can be replaced by something equivalent, while what is above all price, and admits of no equivalent, has dignity.
Section 2 · Read it in Second Section: Transition from Popular Moral Philosophy to the Metaphysic of Morals

About this text

Public domain in the United States; the Project Gutenberg edition is free of restrictions under the Project Gutenberg License. Translated by Thomas Kingsmill Abbott. It is not the edition the programs assign; the guide names that one, and the buy links there point at it.

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