Frederick the Great is considered by many Germans to be the key to understanding 18th-century Europe. His thoughts, actions, and feelings are said to be representative of the spirit of the 18th century. However, this perspective is misleading. It was not the glorification of war and mercantilism, nor egocentric ambition for fame that characterized that era. The spirit of the 18th century breathed respect for life and the physical integrity of others, reason, a longing for peace, the pursuit of civic prosperity and education, social progress, happiness, and the self-fulfillment of all people. The irrational, egocentric excesses of individual heroes, while not yet generally condemned, appear anachronistic in hindsight. Wilhelm Bringmann outlines this using the example of the Polish throne.