“To what end the ‘world’ exists, to what end ‘mankind’ exists, ought not to concern us at all for the moment except as objects of humour: for the presumptuousness of the little human worm is the funniest thing at present on the world’s stage; on the other hand, do ask yourself why you, the individual, exist, and if you can get no other answer try for once to justify the meaning of your existence as it were a posteriori by setting before yourself an aim, a goal, a ‘to this end’, an exalted and noble ‘to this end’ . Perish in pursuit of this and only this - I know of no better aim of life than that of perishing, animae magnae prodigus, in pursuit of the great and the impossible. If, on the other hand, the doctrines of sovereign becoming, of the fluidity of all concepts, types and species, of the lack of any cardinal distinction between man and animal - doctrines which I consider true but deadly - are thrust upon the people for another generation with the rage for instruction that has by now become normal, no one should be surprised if the people perishes of petty egoism, ossification and greed, falls apart and ceases to be a people; in its place systems of individualist egoism, brotherhoods for the rapacious exploitation of the non-brothers, and similar creations of utilitarian vulgarity may perhaps appear in the arena of the future. To prepare the way for these creations all one has to do is to go on writing history from the standpoint of the masses and seeking to derive the laws which govern it from the needs of these masses, that is to say from the laws which move the lowest mud- and clay-strata of society. The masses seem to me to deserve notice in three respects only: first as faded copies of great men produced on poor paper with worn-out plates, then as a force of resistance to great men, finally as instruments in the hands of great men; for the rest, let the Devil and statistics take them!”
Example of Usage
Friedrich Nietzsche's quote emphasizes the importance of individuals finding a noble aim in life and pursuing it wholeheartedly, rather than being consumed by petty egoism and greed. Nietzsche's critique of mass society and his call to embrace a higher purpose serves as a thought-provoking reflection on the values and goals we choose to pursue in our own lives.
Quote Analysis: Friedrich Nietzsche on the Meaning of Existence
In this quote, Friedrich Nietzsche presents his views on the nature of individual existence and the potential consequences of societal beliefs and values. Nietzsche emphasizes the importance of individuals finding a noble purpose or goal to pursue in order to justify their existence. He criticizes the presumptuousness of humanity as comical, yet warns against the dangers of embracing doctrines that promote selfishness and greed. Nietzsche also highlights the significance of great individuals in shaping society, dismissing the masses as mere instruments in the hands of these exceptional individuals.
Modern Relevance
In this passage, Friedrich Nietzsche critiques the petty egoism and utilitarian vulgarity of society, warning against the dangers of ignoring the pursuit of noble goals and individual greatness. He emphasizes the importance of setting meaningful aims and goals in life, and warns against the consequences of prioritizing the needs of the masses over the pursuit of greatness. This critique of mass culture and the call for individuals to strive for excellence remains relevant in today's society, where superficial values and materialistic pursuits often overshadow the pursuit of noble goals and personal growth.
Reflection Questions
In this thought-provoking excerpt from Friedrich Nietzsche, he challenges us to consider the purpose of our existence and to strive for noble goals. Reflect on the following questions to delve deeper into Nietzsche's ideas:
- What does Nietzsche mean by the "presumptuousness of the little human worm" and why does he find it humorous?
- How can setting a noble aim or goal justify the meaning of one's existence, according to Nietzsche?
- Do you agree with Nietzsche's assertion that pursuing the great and the impossible is the best aim in life? Why or why not?
- How do Nietzsche's criticisms of mass culture and utilitarian vulgarity resonate with you?
- Reflect on your own existence and consider what goals or aims you strive for - are they noble and exalted, or are they driven by petty egoism?
Similar quotes
“Try for once to justify the meaning of your existence as it were a posteriori by setting yourself an aim, a goal... an exalted and noble 'to this end.' Perish in pursuit of this and only this”
“No individual existence can be traced further than the moment of conception, which determined that what was to be born would be this person and no other. The person may change from baby to child, and from boy to man, but through all these changes he will remain this person and cannot be another, because all possibilities to the contrary that may have existed before the moment of conception ended forever with the moment of conception.”
“In these times, when so wide a gulf has opened between the rich and the poor, which, instead of narrowing, as all good men would have it, grows broader daily; it is most important that all ranks and degrees of people should understand whose hands are stretched out to separate these two great divisions of society each of whom, for its strength and happiness, and the future existence of this country, as a great and powerful nation, is dependent on the other.”
“In my Future of an Illusion I was concerned [...] with what the ordinary man understands by his religion, that system of doctrines and pledges that on the one hand explains the riddle of this world to him with an enviable completeness, and on the other assures him that a solicitous Providence is watching over him and will make up to him in a future existence for any shortcomings in this life. The ordinary man cannot imagine this Providence in any other from but that of a greatly exalted father, for only such a one could understand the needs of the sons of men, or be softened by their prayers and placated by the signs of their remorse. The whole thing is so patently infantile, so incongruous with reality, that to one whose attitude to humanity is friendly it is painful to think that the great majority of mortals will never be able to rise above this view of life.”
“[Fall, 1951]To me Acapulco is the detoxicating cure for all the evils of the city: ambition, vanity, quest for success in money, the continuous contagious presence of power-driven, obsessed individuals who want to become known, to be in the limelight, noticed, as if life among millions gave you a desperate illness, a need of rising above the crowd, being noticed, existing individually, singled out from a mass of ants and sheep. It has something to do with the presence of millions of anonymous faces, anonymous people, and the desperate ways of achieving distinction. Here, all this is nonsense. You exist by your smile and your presence. You exist for your joys and your relaxations. You exist in nature. You are part of the glittering sea, and part of the luscious, well-nourished plants, you are wedded to the sun, you are immersed in timelessness, only the present counts, and from the present you extract all the essences which can nourish the senses, and so the nerves are still, the mind is quiet, the nights are lullabies, the days are like gentle ovens in which infinitely wise sculptor’s hands re-form the lost contours, the lost sensations of the body. The body comes to life. Quests, pursuits of concrete securities of one kind or another lose all their importance. As you swim, you are washed of all the excrescences of so-called civilization, which includes the incapacity to be happy under any circumstances.”