Wahrlich, ein schmutziger Strom ist der Mensch. Man mu? schon ein Meer sein, um einen schmutzigen Strom aufnehmen zu konnen, ohne unrein zu werden.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Nietzsche likens humanity to a dirty stream, suggesting only a vast sea can absorb it without becoming impure, implying that society must be large enough to handle human flaws.
- In plain terms
- He says only a huge society can contain humanity’s filth without being tainted.
- What can you take from it?
- Scale can dilute but not eliminate moral corruption.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can a society ever be truly pure?
- What mechanisms reduce collective corruption?
Another view
The metaphor may imply that corruption is inevitable, discouraging reform.
More from Friedrich Nietzsche
Ihr habt den Weg vom Wurme zum Menschen gemacht, und Vieles ist in euch noch Wurm. Einst wart ihr Affen, und auch jetzt ist der Mensch mehr Affe, als irgend ei…
Permalink to quote #98 Ich sage euch: man mu? noch Chaos in sich haben, um einen tanzenden Stern gebaren zu konnen.
Permalink to quote #100 Du grosses Gestirn! Was ware dein Gluck, wenn du nicht Die hattest, welchen du leuchtest!
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