Full Idea
Without myth every culture loses its natural healthy creating power: only a horizon encircled with myths can mark off a cultural movement as a discrete unit.
Gist of Idea
Every culture loses its identity and power if it lacks a major myth
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (Works (refs to 8 vol Colli and Montinari) [1885], 1.145)
Book Reference
Safranski,Rüdiger: 'Nietzsche: a philosophical biography' [Granta 2003], p.86
A Reaction
In the early part of his career this was a big idea for Nietzsche, especially associated with Wagner's Ring, but he moved away from the idea later.