Single Idea 23214

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 2. Nihilism]

Full Idea

In the hands of the strongest every kind of pessimism and nihilism becomes only one more hammer and tool with which one mounts a new pair of wings on oneself.

Gist of Idea

For the strongest people, nihilism gives you wings!

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Unpublished Notebooks 1885-86 [1886], 2[101])

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Fragments from 1885-86 (v 16)', ed/tr. Del Caro,Adrian [Stanford 2020], p.352


A Reaction

Not sure how this works. Why is great strength needed? Strength implies forceful overcoming. The wings come from rejecting nihilism, but why does that need strength? Aren't there people with wings who never even thought of nihilism?