Single Idea 20131

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 10. Conatus/Striving]

Full Idea

One can dispose of one's drives like a gardener and, though few know it, cultivate the shoots of anger, pity, curiosity, vanity as productively and profitably as a beautiful fruit tree on a trellis; one can do it with the good or bad taste of a gardener.

Gist of Idea

We can cultivate our drives, of anger, pity, curiosity, vanity, like a gardener, with good or bad taste

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Dawn (Daybreak) [1881], 560)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Daybreak (Dawn)', ed/tr. Clark,M /Leiter,B [CUP 1997], p.561


A Reaction

This sort of existentialism I find very appealing. You take what you are given, the cards you are dealt, and try to make something nice out of it. This is quite different from the crazy freedom of later existentialists.

Related Ideas

Idea 20136 There is an extended logic to a great man's life, achieved by a sustained will [Nietzsche]

Idea 20275 Most people think they are already complete, but we can cultivate ourselves [Nietzsche]