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As an artistic triumph in psychological corruption ... the Gospels, in fact, stand alone ... Here we are among Jews: this is the first thing to be borne in mind if we are not to lose the thread of the matter. This positive genius for conjuring up a delusion of personal 'holiness' unmatched anywhere else, either in books or by men; this elevation of fraud in word and attitude to the level of an art - all this is not an accident due to the chance talents of an individual, or to any violation of nature. The thing responsible is race.

Friedrich Nietzsche#176

CultureReligionRace

About this quote

What does it mean?
Nietzsche sees the Gospels as an artistic creation of fraud, driven by racial factors rather than individual talent or natural law.
In plain terms
The Gospels are a racial‑driven artistic fraud, not a natural truth.
What can you take from it?
Consider cultural and racial influences on religious texts.

Where it applies

  • literary analysis
  • sociology of religion

Putting it to work

  • critical reading of sacred texts

Questions to consider

  • How do race and culture interact in religious creation?
  • Can art be separated from its origins?

Another view

Attributing complex cultural phenomena solely to race oversimplifies history.

More from Friedrich Nietzsche

  1. The very word 'Christianity' is a misunderstanding - in truth, there was only one Christian, and he died on the cross.

    Permalink to quote #175
  2. The whole disaster was only made possible by the fact that there already existed in the world a similar megalomania, allied to this one in race, to wit, the Je…

    Permalink to quote #177
  3. Love is a state in which a man sees things most decidedly as they are not.

    Permalink to quote #174

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