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100 Top Quotes By Friedrich Nietzsche That Smash Popular Notions

Famous As: German Philosopher, Cultural Critic and Philologist
Born On: October 15, 1844
Died On: August 25, 1900
Born In: Röcken, Lützen, Germany
Died At Age: 55

Friedrich Nietzsche was one a German classical scholar, philosopher, and critic of culture who went on to become one of the most influential of all modern thinkers. Nietzsche rose to fame for his writings on good and evil, the end of religion in modern society and the concept of a ‘super-man’. His writings on individuality and morality in contemporary civilization influenced many thinkers and writers of the 20th century. Though Nietzsche career spanned briefly, he published numerous works in philosophy in the short duration, two of the most prominent of which include ‘Twilight of the Idols’ and ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’.  In his work, Nietzsche attempted to unmask the motives that underlie traditional Western religion, morality and philosophy that has deeply affected generations of theologians, philosophers, psychologists, poets, novelists, and playwrights. This probably is the reason as to why his work has exerted a profound influence on Western philosophy and modern intellectual history. Nietzsche's body of writing spanned across philosophical polemics, poetry, cultural criticism, and fiction, and drew widely on art, philology, history, religion, and science. The same can also be seen in his quotes that touch all the aforementioned genres and give readers a new perspective from which to look at. Listed below are some of the top quotes by Friedrich Nietzsche.

Without music, life would be a mistake.

Without music, life would be a mistake.

Friedrich Nietzsche
It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.

It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.

Friedrich Nietzsche
That which does not kill us makes us stronger.

That which does not kill us makes us stronger.

Friedrich Nietzsche
I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.

I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.

Friedrich Nietzsche
And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.

And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.

Friedrich Nietzsche
It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!

It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!

Friedrich Nietzsche
There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.

There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.

Friedrich Nietzsche
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.

You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.

Friedrich Nietzsche
You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.

You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.

Friedrich Nietzsche
In heaven, all the interesting people are missing.

In heaven, all the interesting people are missing.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth because they don't want their illusions destroyed.

Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth because they don't want their illusions destroyed.

Friedrich Nietzsche
There are no facts, only interpretations.

There are no facts, only interpretations.

Friedrich Nietzsche
We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.

We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.

Friedrich Nietzsche
The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends.

The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends.

Friedrich Nietzsche
I cannot believe in a God who wants to be praised all the time.

I cannot believe in a God who wants to be praised all the time.

Friedrich Nietzsche
He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.

He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.

Friedrich Nietzsche
No one can construct for you the bridge upon which precisely you must cross the stream of life, no one but you yourself alone.

No one can construct for you the bridge upon which precisely you must cross the stream of life, no one but you yourself alone.

Friedrich Nietzsche
When we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago.

When we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago.

Friedrich Nietzsche
The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind.

The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind.

Friedrich Nietzsche
In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.

In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.

Friedrich Nietzsche
The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.

The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Man is the cruelest animal.

Man is the cruelest animal.

Friedrich Nietzsche
The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.

The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man?

Is man merely a mistake of God's? Or God merely a mistake of man?

Friedrich Nietzsche
Every deep thinker is more afraid of being understood than of being misunderstood.

Every deep thinker is more afraid of being understood than of being misunderstood.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings -- always darker, emptier and simpler.

Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings -- always darker, emptier and simpler.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Faith: not wanting to know what the truth is.

Faith: not wanting to know what the truth is.

Friedrich Nietzsche
I would believe only in a God that knows how to dance.

I would believe only in a God that knows how to dance.

Friedrich Nietzsche
The thought of suicide is a great consolation: by means of it one gets through many a dark night.

The thought of suicide is a great consolation: by means of it one gets through many a dark night.

Friedrich Nietzsche
A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything.

A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything.

Friedrich Nietzsche
The higher we soar the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.

The higher we soar the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.

Friedrich Nietzsche
A thinker sees his own actions as experiments and questions--as attempts to find out something. Success and failure are for him answers above all.

A thinker sees his own actions as experiments and questions--as attempts to find out something. Success and failure are for him answers above all.

Friedrich Nietzsche
The true man wants two things: danger and play. For that reason he wants woman, as the most dangerous plaything.

The true man wants two things: danger and play. For that reason he wants woman, as the most dangerous plaything.

Friedrich Nietzsche
There are no beautiful surfaces without a terrible depth.

There are no beautiful surfaces without a terrible depth.

Friedrich Nietzsche
I am a forest, and a night of dark trees: but he who is not afraid of my darkness, will find banks full of roses under my cypresses.

I am a forest, and a night of dark trees: but he who is not afraid of my darkness, will find banks full of roses under my cypresses.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Be careful, lest in casting out your demon you exorcise the best thing in you.

Be careful, lest in casting out your demon you exorcise the best thing in you.

Friedrich Nietzsche
We have art in order not to die of the truth.

We have art in order not to die of the truth.

Friedrich Nietzsche
There are two different types of people in the world, those who want to know, and those who want to believe.

There are two different types of people in the world, those who want to know, and those who want to believe.

Friedrich Nietzsche
A good writer possesses not only his own spirit but also the spirit of his friends.

A good writer possesses not only his own spirit but also the spirit of his friends.

Friedrich Nietzsche
All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.

All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.

Friedrich Nietzsche
One ought to hold on to one's heart; for if one lets it go, one soon loses control of the head too.

One ought to hold on to one's heart; for if one lets it go, one soon loses control of the head too.

Friedrich Nietzsche
In truth,there was only one christian and he died on the cross.

In truth,there was only one christian and he died on the cross.

Friedrich Nietzsche
All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.

All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.

Friedrich Nietzsche
You must be ready to burn yourself in your own flame;
how could you rise anew if you have not first become ashes?

You must be ready to burn yourself in your own flame; how could you rise anew if you have not first become ashes?

Friedrich Nietzsche
That which is done out of love is always beyond good and evil.

That which is done out of love is always beyond good and evil.

Friedrich Nietzsche
All I need is a sheet of paper
and something to write with, and then
I can turn the world upside down.

All I need is a sheet of paper and something to write with, and then I can turn the world upside down.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Ah, women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent.

Ah, women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Silence is worse; all truths that are kept silent become poisonous.

Silence is worse; all truths that are kept silent become poisonous.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Art is the proper task of life.

Art is the proper task of life.

Friedrich Nietzsche
There is not enough love and goodness in the world to permit giving any of it away to imaginary beings.

There is not enough love and goodness in the world to permit giving any of it away to imaginary beings.

Friedrich Nietzsche
What does your conscience say? — 'You should become the person you are'.

What does your conscience say? — 'You should become the person you are'.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.

Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Invisible threads are the strongest ties.

Invisible threads are the strongest ties.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Perhaps I know best why it is man alone who laughs; he alone suffers so deeply that he had to invent laughter.

Perhaps I know best why it is man alone who laughs; he alone suffers so deeply that he had to invent laughter.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Amor Fati – “Love Your Fate”, which is in fact your life.

Amor Fati – “Love Your Fate”, which is in fact your life.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Blessed are the forgetful, for they get the better even of their blunders.

Blessed are the forgetful, for they get the better even of their blunders.

Friedrich Nietzsche
The lonely one offers his hand too quickly to whomever he encounters.

The lonely one offers his hand too quickly to whomever he encounters.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Stupidity in a woman is unfeminine.

Stupidity in a woman is unfeminine.

Friedrich Nietzsche
After coming into contact with a religious man I always feel I must wash my hands.

After coming into contact with a religious man I always feel I must wash my hands.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Today as always, men fall into two groups: slaves and free men. Whoever does not have two-thirds of his day for himself, is a slave, whatever he may be: a statesman, a businessman, an official, or a scholar.

Today as always, men fall into two groups: slaves and free men. Whoever does not have two-thirds of his day for himself, is a slave, whatever he may be: a statesman, a businessman, an official, or a scholar.

Friedrich Nietzsche
A thought, even a possibility, can shatter and transform us.

A thought, even a possibility, can shatter and transform us.

Friedrich Nietzsche
One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.

One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.

Friedrich Nietzsche
He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.

He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Ultimately, it is the desire, not the desired, that we love.

Ultimately, it is the desire, not the desired, that we love.

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

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

Friedrich Nietzsche
They muddy the water, to make it seem deep.

They muddy the water, to make it seem deep.

Friedrich Nietzsche
To predict the behavior of ordinary people in advance, you only have to assume that they will always try to escape a disagreeable situation with the smallest possible expenditure of intelligence.

To predict the behavior of ordinary people in advance, you only have to assume that they will always try to escape a disagreeable situation with the smallest possible expenditure of intelligence.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Is it better to out-monster the monster or to be quietly devoured?

Is it better to out-monster the monster or to be quietly devoured?

Friedrich Nietzsche
Become who you are!

Become who you are!

Friedrich Nietzsche
Is life not a thousand times too short for us to bore ourselves?

Is life not a thousand times too short for us to bore ourselves?

Friedrich Nietzsche
The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments.

The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man.

Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man.

Friedrich Nietzsche
I know of no better life purpose than to perish in attempting the great and the impossible.

I know of no better life purpose than to perish in attempting the great and the impossible.

Friedrich Nietzsche
There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy.

There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy.

Friedrich Nietzsche
One repays a teacher badly if one always remains nothing but a pupil.

One repays a teacher badly if one always remains nothing but a pupil.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Talking much about oneself can also be a means to conceal oneself.

Talking much about oneself can also be a means to conceal oneself.

Friedrich Nietzsche
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.

Friedrich Nietzsche
The voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls

The voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls

Friedrich Nietzsche
Distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful.

Distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called 'Ego'.

Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called 'Ego'.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Remorse.-- Never yield to remorse, but at once tell yourself: remorse would simply mean adding to the first act of stupidity a second.

Remorse.-- Never yield to remorse, but at once tell yourself: remorse would simply mean adding to the first act of stupidity a second.

Friedrich Nietzsche
One must give value to their existence by behaving as if ones very existence were a work of art.

One must give value to their existence by behaving as if ones very existence were a work of art.

Friedrich Nietzsche
True, we love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving. There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness.

True, we love life, not because we are used to living, but because we are used to loving. There is always some madness in love, but there is also always some reason in madness.

Friedrich Nietzsche
I assess the power of a will by how much resistance, pain, torture it endures and knows how to turn to its advantage

I assess the power of a will by how much resistance, pain, torture it endures and knows how to turn to its advantage

Friedrich Nietzsche
If you know the why, you can live any how.

If you know the why, you can live any how.

Friedrich Nietzsche
And once you are awake, you shall remain awake eternally.

And once you are awake, you shall remain awake eternally.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Love is a state in which a man sees things most decidedly as they are not.

Love is a state in which a man sees things most decidedly as they are not.

Friedrich Nietzsche
For art to exist, for any sort of aesthetic activity or perception to exist, a certain physiological precondition is indispensable: intoxication.

For art to exist, for any sort of aesthetic activity or perception to exist, a certain physiological precondition is indispensable: intoxication.

Friedrich Nietzsche
There are no eternal facts, as there are no absolute truths.

There are no eternal facts, as there are no absolute truths.

Friedrich Nietzsche
...throw roses into the abyss and say: 'here is my thanks to the monster who didn't succeed in swallowing me alive.

...throw roses into the abyss and say: 'here is my thanks to the monster who didn't succeed in swallowing me alive.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Man is something that shall be overcome.Man is a rope,tied between beast and overman - a rope over an abyss.What is great in man is that he is a bridge and not an end.

Man is something that shall be overcome.Man is a rope,tied between beast and overman - a rope over an abyss.What is great in man is that he is a bridge and not an end.

Friedrich Nietzsche
It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.

It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Nothing on earth consumes a man more quickly than the passion of resentment.

Nothing on earth consumes a man more quickly than the passion of resentment.

Friedrich Nietzsche
To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.

To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies.

Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies.

Friedrich Nietzsche
Madness is something rare in individuals — but in groups, parties, peoples, and ages, it is the rule.

Madness is something rare in individuals — but in groups, parties, peoples, and ages, it is the rule.

Friedrich Nietzsche
The irrationality of a thing is no argument against its existence, rather a condition of it.

The irrationality of a thing is no argument against its existence, rather a condition of it.

Friedrich Nietzsche
What is the seal of liberation? Not to be ashamed in front of oneself.

What is the seal of liberation? Not to be ashamed in front of oneself.

Friedrich Nietzsche
There is an innocence in admiration: it occurs in one who has not yet realized that they might one day be admired.

There is an innocence in admiration: it occurs in one who has not yet realized that they might one day be admired.

Friedrich Nietzsche