Society and the World

There is only a perspective seeing, only a perspective "knowing"; and the more affects we allow to speak about one thing, the more eyes, different eyes, we can use to observe one thing, the more complete will our "concept" of this thing, our "objectivity," be.

Species do not grow more perfect: the weaker dominate the strong again and again - the reason being they are the great majority, and they are also cleverer.... Darwin forgot the mind (- that in English): the weak possess more mind. ... To acquire mind one must need mind - one loses it when one no longer needs it. He who possesses strength divests himself of mind.

[The] self overcoming of justice: one knows the beautiful name it has given itself--mercy...

[The] self overcoming of justice: one knows the beautiful name it has given itself--mercy...

Well-meaning, helpful, good-natured attitudes of mind have not come to be honored on account of their usefulness, but because they are states of richer souls that are capable of bestowing and have their value in the feeling of the plenitude of life.

That which now calls itself democracy differs from older forms of government solely in that it drives with new horses: the streets are still the same old streets, and the wheels are likewise the same old wheels.

That which now calls itself democracy differs from older forms of government solely in that it drives with new horses: the streets are still the same old streets, and the wheels are likewise the same old wheels.

Under peaceful conditions, the warlike man attacks himself.

A man far oftener appears to have a decided character from persistently following his temperament than from persistently following his principles.

The most common sort of lie is that by which a man deceives himself: the deception of others is a relatively rare offense.

This workshop where ideals are manufactured--it seems to me it stinks of so many lies

This workshop where ideals are manufactured--it seems to me it stinks of so many lies

The visionary lies to himself, the liar only to others.

Everything the State says is a lie, and everything it has it has stolen.

Everything the State says is a lie, and everything it has it has stolen.

When, however, you have an enemy, then do not requite him good for evil: for that would shame him. Instead, prove that he did some good for you. And rather be angry than put to shame! And when you are cursed, I do not like it that you want to bless. Rather curse a little also! And if you are done a great injustice, then quickly add five small ones. Hideous to behold is he who is obsessed with an injustice.

Yet the same thing happens to the notions of morality. They are devised, at the start, as measures of expediency, and then given divine sanction in order to lend them authority.

[Anything which] is a living thing and not a dying body... will have to be an incarnate will to power, it will strive to grow, spread, seize, become predominant - not from any morality or immorality but because it is living and because life simply is will to power... 'Exploitation'... belongs to the essence of what lives, as a basic organic function; it is a consequence of the will to power, which is after all the will of life.

Morality is just a fiction used by the herd of inferior human beings to hold back the few superior men.

All history is the experimental refutation of the theory of the so-called moral order of things.

All history is the experimental refutation of the theory of the so-called moral order of things.

Every means hitherto employed with the intention of making mankind moral has been thoroughly immoral.

The rule: when energy, 'negative' as it may be, moves without resistance, it easily sublimates and becomes raw energy of power and presence; resistance to it makes it freeze in its current state. For this reason, morality not only does not help our sexuality develop but also forces it to stay as it is.

Morality is the idiosyncrasy of decadents having the hidden desire to revenge themselves upon life – and being successful.