Wisdom Begins
Wisdom begins with the realization that the path to knowledge requires above all else the capacity to look upon oneself with contempt. Those who lack the strength to scorn themselves cannot learn. Those who have had not yet said, “what a fool I am!,” are condemned to ongoing folly. To learn, first say, “I do [...]
Modernity
So much that is called modern only appears that way because we do not study enough any longer what is ancient. In our ignorance, we often think we have acquired new and undiscovered pieces of wisdom, when we have done nothing more than reacquire things that the ancients had considered — and disproven — long [...]
On His Blindness
When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one talent, which is death to hide, Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest He, returning, chide: “Doth God exact day labor, [...]
Subtlety
So few have a taste for what seems best to me in literature: those writers whose words are actually the whitespace to their thoughts.
Friendship
One should fear friendship: a few supportive friends can quickly make a man into a monster if he is disposed to isolate himself from the mass of men.
The Problem With War
Is actually always that conducting it well brings out all that is most dangerous in man: obedience to authority, coldness, true cruelty even. War demands that one begin to head down a road one can seldom turn off of — and it is this road we should fear more than anything else.
Asinine, But Amusing
In art, as in politics, les grandperes ont toujours tort.
In Perpetuity
How sad it is that we humans are not getting any better as a species. We have more techonology, but no more (and possibly much less) good sense than two thousand years ago. We go on responding to attacks with further attacks without realizing this will only create wars in which we are the criminals. [...]
Fighting Against Instincts
I want to learn more and more to see as beautiful what is necessary in things; then I shall be one of those who make things beautiful. Amor fati: let that be my love henceforth! I do not want to wage war against what is ugly. I do not want to accuse; I do not [...]
Those Righteous
The distance between the most virtuous and most vicious of men is far smaller than the distance between the most intelligent and least intelligent of men — and almost entirely unrelated, despite all logical arguments to the contrary. Indeed, one should always try to bear in mind the words, “there but for the grace of [...]