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Every select man strives instinctively for a citadel and a privacy, where he is FREE from the crowd, the many, the majority-- where he may forget "men who are the rule," as their exception;-- exclusive only of the case in which he is pushed straight to such men by a still stronger instinct, as a discerner in the great and exceptional sense.
One in three all friends are:Brothers in distress,equals facing rivals,free men - facing death!
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So long as men praise you, you can only be sure that you are not yet on your own true path but on someone else's.
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...throw roses into the abyss and say: 'here is my thanks to the monster who didn't succeed in swallowing me alive.
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We no longer have a sufficiently high estimate of ourselves when we communicate. Our true experiences are not garrulous. They could not communicate themselves if they wanted to: they lack words. We have already grown beyond whatever we have words for. In all talking there lies a grain of contempt. Speech, it seems, was devised only for the average medium, communicable. The speaker has already vulgarized himself by speaking.
Hypocrisy has its place in the ages of strong belief: in which even when one is compelled to exhibit a different belief one does not abandon the belief on already has.
To him who feels himself preordained to contemplation and not to belief, all believers are too noisy and obtrusive; he guards against them.
There are so many futures still to dawn!
For one thing is needful: that a human being should attain satisfaction with himself, whether it be by means of this or that poetry or art; only then is a human being at all tolerable to behold. Whoever is dissatisfied with himself is constantly ready for revenge, and we others will be his victims, if only by having to endure his ugly sight.
It is true: we love life, not because we are used to living but because we are used to loving.There is always a certain madness in love. But also there is always a certain method in madness.

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Identification and basic context

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was born on October 9, 1844, in Röcken, Prussia (modern-day Germany), and died on August 25, 1900, in Weimar, Germany. He was a German philosopher, classical philologist, cultural critic, poet, and composer. He is considered one of the most influential and controversial thinkers in Western philosophy.

Childhood and education

Nietzsche was born into a Lutheran family. His father, a pastor, died when he was five years old, which deeply marked him. He studied classical philology at the University of Bonn and later at the University of Leipzig, where he was a student of Friedrich Ritschl. In 1869, at just 24 years old, he became a professor of classical philology at the University of Basel, Switzerland.

Literary career

Although primarily known as a philosopher, Nietzsche's writing has a notable literary character, especially in his mature phase. His work "The Birth of Tragedy" (1872) already demonstrated a vigorous and passionate style. With "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" (1883-1885), he adopted a prophetic and aphoristic style, which became his trademark. Other important works include "On the Genealogy of Morality" (1887), "Beyond Good and Evil" (1886), and "The Antichrist" (1895).

Work, style, and literary characteristics

Nietzsche's work is characterized by a fierce critique of Judeo-Christian morality, Platonic metaphysics, and bourgeois values. Central concepts in his philosophy include the "death of God", the "will to power", the "eternal recurrence", and the "superman" (Übermensch). His style is aphoristic, poetic, provocative, and often enigmatic, challenging conventions and inviting constant reinterpretation. He valued art, Greek tragedy, and Dionysian culture as vital forces.

Cultural and historical context

Nietzsche lived during a period of great transformations in Europe, marked by German nationalism, industrialization, and scientific advancement. He was a contemporary of thinkers like Schopenhauer, Wagner, and Marx. His work reflects the intellectual and cultural tensions of his time, challenging the foundations of Western thought and anticipating many of the existential and moral crises of the 20th century.

Personal life

Nietzsche's life was marked by health problems, including migraines and digestive disorders. His interpersonal relationships were complex, notably his friendship with Richard Wagner and their subsequent rupture. He spent much of his adult life traveling and living in precarious conditions, often in solitude. In 1889, he suffered a mental collapse from which he never recovered, living the last years of his life under the care of his mother and sister.

Recognition and reception

During his lifetime, Nietzsche had limited recognition and was often misunderstood. His philosophy was later appropriated and distorted by Nazism, although this appropriation is widely criticized by scholars. Today, he is recognized as one of the most important and original philosophers, with vast influence in various areas of contemporary thought.

Influences and legacy

Nietzsche was influenced by philosophers such as Schopenhauer and Heraclitus, and by composers such as Wagner. His legacy is immense, influencing philosophical currents such as existentialism, post-structuralism, and psychoanalysis. Thinkers like Heidegger, Foucault, Derrida, and Deleuze engaged extensively with his ideas. His critique of morality and his celebration of life continue to resonate.

Interpretation and critical analysis

Nietzsche's work is a fertile ground for diverse and sometimes contradictory interpretations. His critique of the "death of God" raises questions about nihilism and the need for new values. The concept of the "superman" has been interpreted as an ideal of individual and collective overcoming. The "will to power" is seen as the fundamental driving force of life.

Curiosities and lesser-known aspects

Nietzsche was a talented amateur pianist and composer. He had a deep admiration for Wagner's music, which later turned into vehement criticism. He considered himself a "physician" of culture, aiming to diagnose and cure the "diseases" of modernity. His writing often resembled a diary of thoughts, with aphorisms that were small works of philosophical art.

Death and memory

After his mental collapse in 1889, Nietzsche lived in a state of dementia until his death in 1900. His sister, Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, took over the management of his writings, introducing alterations and interpretations that, according to many scholars, distorted the philosopher's original thought, especially in relation to nationalism and antisemitism, themes that Nietzsche explicitly condemned in letters and writings.