Single Idea 7168

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 2. Happiness / a. Nature of happiness]

Full Idea

The happiness whose proper name on earth the modest believe is: 'Well, not bad'.

Gist of Idea

Modest people express happiness as 'Not bad'

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Writings from Late Notebooks [1887], 05[7])

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Writings from the Late Notebooks', ed/tr. Bittner,Rüdiger [CUP 2003], p.106


A Reaction

Alexei Sayle expresses it in the English slogan 'Mustn't grumble'. Nietzsche certainly had the English in mind. Nietzsche seems to have the romantic tendency to think that only something completely new and original can bring happiness.