Single Idea 4519

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / A. Egoism / 1. Ethical Egoism]

Full Idea

The 'subject' is only a fiction: the ego of which one speaks when one censures egoism does not exist at all.

Clarification

The 'ego' is the self

Gist of Idea

The ego is only a fiction, and doesn't exist at all

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (The Will to Power (notebooks) [1888], §370)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Will to Power', ed/tr. Kaufmann,W /Hollingdate,R [Vintage 1968], p.199


A Reaction

This is the true Nietzsche, the nihilistic relativist. On optimistic days he thought some people had quivering dynamic egoes, to which they apparently owe duties, as one might to a great talent with which one was born.