Single Idea 18299

[catalogued under 20. Action / B. Preliminaries of Action / 2. Willed Action / a. Will to Act]

Full Idea

Powerless against that which has been done, the will is an angry spectator of all things past. The will cannot will backwards; that it cannot break time and time's desire - that is the will's most lonely affliction.

Gist of Idea

The will is constantly frustrated by the past

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Thus Spake Zarathustra [1884], 2.20)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Thus Spake Zarathustra', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1969], p.161