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About this quote

What does it mean?
Nietzsche explains that the highest mountains arise from the deepest sea, symbolizing that greatness emerges from deep origins.
In plain terms
Great things come from deep, hidden sources.
What can you take from it?
Seek deep foundations for lofty goals.

Where it applies

  • personal ambition
  • creative projects

Putting it to work

  • explore underlying causes
  • build from solid base

Questions to consider

  • What deep forces shape our aspirations?
  • Can surface ideas become great?

Another view

Not all high achievements stem from deep origins; some are superficial.

More from Friedrich Nietzsche

  1. Hoheres als alle Versohnung muss der Wille wollen, welcher der Wille zur Macht ist.

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  2. O meine Bruder, ich weihe und weise euch zu einem neuen Adel: ihr sollt mir Zeuger und Zuchter werden und Saemanner der Zukunft, - wahrlich, nicht zu einem Ade…

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  3. Und wer von uns Dichtern hatte nicht seinen Wein verfalscht? Manch giftiger Mischmasch geschah in unsern Kellern, manches Unbeschreibliche ward da getan.

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