Single Idea 4514

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / g. Will to power]

Full Idea

The basic tendency of the weak and mediocre of all ages is to weaken and pull down the stronger: chief means, the moral judgement.

Gist of Idea

The basic tendency of the weak has always been to pull down the strong, using morality

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (The Will to Power (notebooks) [1888], §345)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'The Will to Power', ed/tr. Kaufmann,W /Hollingdate,R [Vintage 1968], p.189


A Reaction

Obviously this contains some truth. Morality is a vast trade union movement by means of which the weak seek power and security. And good luck to them, I say. Why is mass power any worse than aristocratic or oligarchic power?