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The pride connected with knowing and sensing lies like a blinding fog over the eyes and senses of men, thus deceiving them concerning the value of existence. For this pride contains within itself the most flattering estimation of the value of knowing. Deception is the most general effect of such pride, but even its most particular effects contain within themselves something of the same deceitful character.

Friedrich Nietzsche#9

PhilosophyKnowledgeHumilityDeceptionPride

About this quote

What does it mean?
Pride in knowledge blinds people, leading them to overvalue existence and be deceived.
In plain terms
Intellectual pride distorts perception of life's worth.
What can you take from it?
Guard against arrogance in learning.

Where it applies

  • academic environments
  • self‑improvement

Putting it to work

  • practice humility
  • seek feedback

Questions to consider

  • How can we balance confidence with humility?
  • What signs indicate intellectual arrogance?

Another view

Some confidence is necessary for progress.

More from Friedrich Nietzsche

  1. Once upon a time, in some out of the way corner of that universe which is dispersed into numberless twinkling solar systems, there was a star upon which clever…

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  2. Deception, flattering, lying, deluding, talking behind the back, putting up a false front, living in borrowed splendor, wearing a mask, hiding behind conventio…

    Permalink to quote #10
  3. I have somehow something like 'influence' ... In the Anti-Semitic Correspondence ... my name is mentioned in almost every issue. Zarathustra ... has charmed th…

    Permalink to quote #7

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