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About this quote

What does it mean?
Nietzsche advises reading the New Testament with gloves because it is filthy, comparing early Christians unfavorably to Polish Jews.
In plain terms
Read the New Testament with gloves; it’s as undesirable as early Christians or Polish Jews.
What can you take from it?
Approach controversial texts with caution and critical distance.

Where it applies

  • religious study
  • censorship debates

Putting it to work

  • maintaining analytical detachment

Questions to consider

  • How can one critique without demeaning?
  • What standards should guide textual analysis?

Another view

The comparison is hateful and offers no constructive critique.

More from Friedrich Nietzsche

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  2. The God that Paul invented for himself, a God who 'reduced to absurdity' 'the wisdom of this world' (especially the two great enemies of superstition, philolog…

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  3. 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 min…

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