The lofty independent spirituality, the will to stand alone, and even the cogent reason, are felt to be dangers, everything that elevates the individual above the herd, and is a source of fear to the neighbour, is henceforth called EVIL, the tolerant, unassuming, self-adapting, self-equalizing disposition, the MEDIOCRITY of desires, attains to moral distinction and honour. Finally, under very peaceful circumstances, there is always less opportunity and necessity for training the feelings to severity and rigour, and now every form of severity, even in justice, begins to disturb the conscience, a lofty and rigorous nobleness and self-responsibility almost offends, and awakens distrust, "the lamb," and still more "the sheep," wins respect. There is a point of diseased mellowness and effeminacy in the history of society, at which society itself takes the part of him who injures it, the part of the CRIMINAL, and does so, in fact, seriously and honestly.
Beyond Good and Evil
Table of Contents
- PREFACE 9
- CHAPTER I. PREJUDICES OF PHILOSOPHERS 16
- CHAPTER II. THE FREE SPIRIT 70
- CHAPTER III. THE RELIGIOUS MOOD 118
- CHAPTER IV. APOPHTHEGMS AND INTERLUDES 159
- CHAPTER V. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF MORALS 185
- CHAPTER VI. WE SCHOLARS 235
- CHAPTER VII. OUR VIRTUES 280
- CHAPTER VIII. PEOPLES AND COUNTRIES 338
- CHAPTER IX. WHAT IS NOBLE? 393
- FROM THE HEIGHTS 467
- By F W Nietzsche 468
- Translated by L. A. Magnus 469