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About this quote

What does it mean?
The higher he strives toward light, the stronger his roots grow toward darkness, evil.
In plain terms
Pursuing lofty goals deepens one's darker foundations.
What can you take from it?
Beware that ambition can deepen hidden flaws.

Where it applies

  • personal development
  • ethical reflection

Putting it to work

  • reflect on motives
  • balance aspiration with integrity

Questions to consider

  • What shadows do your goals reveal?
  • Can light and darkness coexist?

Another view

Not all ambition leads to moral decay.

More from Friedrich Nietzsche

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  2. Ihre (Predigern des Todes) Weisheit lautet: 'ein Thor, der leben bleibt, aber so sehr sind wir Thoren! Und das eben ist das Thorichtste am Leben!' -

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  3. Ihr seht nach oben, wenn ihr nach Erhebung verlangt. Und ich sehe hinab, weil ich erhoben bin.

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