"Whoever does not philosophize for the sake of philosophy, but rather uses philosophy as a means, is a sophist"

Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel's quote is a caution against the abuse of philosophy. He is warning against those who use approach as a tool to control or trick others. He is saying that those who utilize approach for their own gain, instead of for the pursuit of understanding, are sophists. Sophists were ancient Greek teachers who used rhetoric and argumentation to win debates, despite the fact. Schlegel is cautioning versus those who use approach as a tool to acquire power or impact, instead of to seek understanding and understanding. He is saying that those who use approach for their own gain are not real theorists, but rather sophists. Schlegel's quote is a pointer that approach need to be used for the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, not for personal gain.