Full Idea
One would have to be situated outside life ....[and yet know it thoroughly] ....to be permitted to touch on the problem of the value of life at all.
Gist of Idea
To evaluate life one must know it, but also be situated outside of it
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (Twilight of the Idols [1889], 4.5)
Book Reference
Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Twilight of the Idols and The Anti-Christ', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1972], p.45
A Reaction
Can practising artists question the value of their art? The whole point of objectivity is that we can mentally step 'outside' of something, without actually withdrawing from it.