Single Idea 20263

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / g. Love]

Full Idea

Fear has furthered the universal knowledge of humanity more than love, for fear wants to discern who the other person is, what he can do and what he wants.

Gist of Idea

Fear reveals the natures of other people much more clearly than love does

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Dawn (Daybreak) [1881], 309)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Dawn (Daybreak) (v 5)', ed/tr. Smith, Brittain [Stanford 2011], p.191


A Reaction

Nietzsche had it in for love at this stage in his career. This remark strikes me as brilliantly accurate.