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Single Idea 20112

[from 'Human, All Too Human' by Friedrich Nietzsche, in 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / f. Compassion ]

Full Idea

The pity that the spectators express consoles the weak and suffering, inasmuch as they see that , despite all their weakness, they still have at least one power: the power to hurt.

Gist of Idea

Pity consoles those who suffer, because they see that they still have the power to hurt

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Human, All Too Human [1878], §050)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Human, All Too Human', ed/tr. Faber,Marion [Penguin 1994], p.50


A Reaction

This pinpoints how the will to power led to the inversion of values.