more from Friedrich Nietzsche

Single Idea 20111

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 1. Existentialism]

Full Idea

I can imagine a life much more simple...than the present one. ...One would live among men and with oneself as in nature, without praise, reproach, overzealousness, delighting in things as in a spectacle. One would no longer feel one was more than nature.

Gist of Idea

We could live more naturally, relishing the spectacle, and not thinking we are special

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Human, All Too Human [1878], §034)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Human, All Too Human', ed/tr. Faber,Marion [Penguin 1994], p.37


A Reaction

[compressed] Safranski says this passage is a big turning point for Nietzsche, replacing his earlier idea that art could be salvation. Eternal Recurrence puts a seal on this new view. Nietzsche adds that this life needs to be 'cheerful'.