“I love him whose soul is so overfull that he forgets himself, and all things are in him: thus all things become his going under.”
Analysis of Nietzsche's Quote
In this quote by Friedrich Nietzsche, the concept of selflessness and transcendence is explored. Nietzsche is conveying the idea of loving someone who is completely consumed by passion and purpose, to the extent that they are able to forget themselves and merge with the world around them. This idea of losing oneself in the beauty and intensity of life is a central theme in Nietzsche's philosophy, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond oneself and finding meaning in the greater universe. By becoming one with all things, one is able to fully experience life and find a sense of fulfillment and purpose.
Embracing Selflessness in a Modern World
In his quote, Friedrich Nietzsche emphasizes the beauty of a soul that is so connected to the world around it, that it forgets itself. This concept of selflessness and interconnectedness remains relevant in today's society, where individuals often focus on their own desires and accomplishments without considering the impact on others. By embodying a selfless attitude and being in tune with the world around us, we can truly understand the depth of our existence and find purpose in serving others.
Embracing Nietzschean Philosophy
"I love him whose soul is so overfull that he forgets himself, and all things are in him: thus all things become his going under." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Reflective Questions
When you read this quote by Friedrich Nietzsche, what emotions does it evoke in you?
Do you think it is possible to reach a state where you forget yourself and all things become a part of you?
How do you interpret the idea of "going under" in the context of the quote?
Do you know anyone in your life who embodies this idea of being so overfull in soul that they forget themselves?
Similar quotes
“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.--”
“At that instant he knew that all his doubts, even the impossibility of believing with his reason, of which he was aware in himself, did not in the least hinder his turning to God. All of that now floated out of his soul like dust. To whom was he to turn if not to Him in whose hands he felt himself, his soul, and his love?”
“The catastrophe of the tragic hero thus becomes the catastrophe of the fifth-century man; all his furious energy and intellectual daring drive him on to this terrible discovery of his fundamental ignorance - he is not the measure of all things but the thing measured and found wanting.”
“All things are by Him and for Him. He utters Himself also for His own delight and sees that He is good. He is His own begotten and what proceeds from Him is Himself. Blessed be He!”
“...his face bore an expression that mingled haughty disdain with a tender, ardent sympathy, as if he would love all things if only his nature could let him forget their defects.”