“I can tell by my own reaction to it that this book is harmful." But let him only wait and perhaps one day he will admit to himself that this same book has done him a great service by bringing out the hidden sickness of his heart and making it visible.— Altered opinions do not alter a man’s character (or do so very little); but they do illuminate individual aspects of the constellation of his personality which with a different constellation of opinions had hitherto remained dark and unrecognizable.”
Explore This Quote Further
Example of Usage
"I can tell by my own reaction to it that this book is harmful." But let him only wait and perhaps one day he will admit to himself that this same book has done him a great service by bringing out the hidden sickness of his heart and making it visible.— Altered opinions do not alter a man’s character (or do so very little); but they do illuminate individual aspects of the constellation of his personality which with a different constellation of opinions had hitherto remained dark and unrecognizable.” - Friedrich Nietzsche
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Friedrich Nietzsche, he urges readers to be open-minded and willing to confront uncomfortable truths. When someone initially dismisses a book as harmful, Nietzsche suggests that they should instead consider the possibility that the book is actually exposing hidden aspects of their own character. He argues that altering one's opinions may not significantly change their overall character, but it can reveal previously unknown dimensions of their personality. This quote serves as a reminder that self-reflection and introspection are necessary for personal growth and development.
Exploring the Hidden Depths of Personal Views
In this quote, Friedrich Nietzsche delves into the idea that encountering challenging or controversial material can reveal aspects of ourselves that we were previously unaware of. While initial reactions may be negative, the process of evaluating conflicting beliefs can ultimately lead to personal growth and self-discovery. This concept remains relevant in the modern world as individuals continue to confront differing viewpoints and engage in conversations that challenge their preconceived notions.
Reflection Questions:
Reflecting on Nietzsche's quote, it prompts us to consider how our reactions to certain stimuli can reveal hidden aspects of our character and beliefs. This introspective exercise challenges us to question our initial judgments and explore the underlying reasons for our reactions.
- How do my reactions to certain books or media reflect my inner beliefs and values?
- Have there been instances where my initial negative reaction to something turned out to reveal deeper insights about myself?
- In what ways can exploring differing opinions and perspectives help shed light on hidden aspects of my personality?
- How can I use my reactions to challenging material as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery?
Similar quotes
“Altered opinions do not alter a man’s character (or do so very little); but they do illuminate individual aspects of the constellation of his personality which with a different constellation of opinions had hitherto remained dark and unrecognizable.”
“One sticks to an opinion because he prides himself on having come to it on his own, and another because he has taken great pains to learn it and is proud to have grasped it: and so both do so out of vanity.”
“Not he is great who can alter matter, but he who can alter my state of mind.”
“Books and drafts mean something quite different for different thinkers. One collects in a book the lights he was able to steal and carry home swiftly out of the rays of some insight that suddenly dawned on him, while another thinker offers us nothing but shadows - images in black and grey of what had built up in his soul the day before.”
“No one can draw more out of things, books included, than he already knows. A man has no ears for that to which experience has given him no access.”
“Man is a rope stretched between the animal and the Superman--a rope over an abyss. A dangerous crossing, a dangerous wayfaring, a dangerous looking-back, a dangerous trembling and halting. What is great in man is that he is a bridge and not a goal: what is lovable in man is that he is an OVER-GOING and a DOWN-GOING. I love those that know not how to live except as down-goers, for they are the over-goers. I love the great despisers, because they are the great adorers, and arrows of longing for the other shore. I love those who do not first seek a reason beyond the stars for going down and being sacrifices, but sacrifice themselves to the earth, that the earth of the Superman may hereafter arrive. I love him who lives in order to know, and seeks to know in order that the Superman may hereafter live. Thus seeks he his own down-going. I love him who labors and invents, that he may build the house for the Superman, and prepare for him earth, animal, and plant: for thus seeks he his own down-going. I love him who loves his virtue: for virtue is the will to down-going, and an arrow of longing. I love him who reserves no share of spirit for himself, but wants to be wholly the spirit of his virtue: thus walks he as spirit over the bridge. I love him who makes his virtue his inclination and destiny: thus, for the sake of his virtue, he is willing to live on, or live no more. I love him who desires not too many virtues. One virtue is more of a virtue than two, because it is more of a knot for one's destiny to cling to. I love him whose soul is lavish, who wants no thanks and does not give back: for he always bestows, and desires not to keep for himself. I love him who is ashamed when the dice fall in his favor, and who then asks: "Am I a dishonest player?"--for he is willing to succumb. I love him who scatters golden words in advance of his deeds, and always does more than he promises: for he seeks his own down-going. I love him who justifies the future ones, and redeems the past ones: for he is willing to succumb through the present ones. I love him who chastens his God, because he loves his God: for he must succumb through the wrath of his God. I love him whose soul is deep even in the wounding, and may succumb through a small matter: thus goes he willingly over the bridge. I love him whose soul is so overfull that he forgets himself, and all things that are in him: thus all things become his down-going. I love him who is of a free spirit and a free heart: thus is his head only the bowels of his heart; his heart, however, causes his down-going. I love all who are like heavy drops falling one by one out of the dark cloud that lowers over man: they herald the coming of the lightning, and succumb as heralds. Lo, I am a herald of the lightning, and a heavy drop out of the cloud: the lightning, however, is the SUPERMAN.--”