Single Idea 20383

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 2. Wise People]

Full Idea

The wisest man would be the one richest in contradictions, who has, as it were, antennae for all types of men - as well as his great moments of grand harmony - a rare accident even in us!

Gist of Idea

The wisest man is full of contradictions, and attuned to other people, with occasional harmony

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (The Will to Power (notebooks) [1888], §259)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Will to Power', ed/tr. Kaufmann,W /Hollingdate,R [Vintage 1968], p.150


A Reaction

By 'us' does he mean himself? Whether the rest of us thought such a person to be wise would depend on whether we met them on a contradictory or a harmonious day. Permanent harmony should be viewed with suspicion.