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'He who seeks may easily get lost himself. It is a crime to go apart and be alone.' Thus speaks the herd.
Friedrich Nietzsche
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that the pursuit of individual desires can lead to confusion and isolation, as society often discourages solitude.

Friedrich Nietzsche's quote touches on the struggle between individualism and societal expectations. It implies that the quest for meaning or personal truth can lead one astray, leading to feelings of disconnection and loneliness, as dictated by societal norms that view solitude as a negative state. Nietzsche critiques the herd mentality that shames those who venture apart, emphasizing the importance of understanding oneself amid societal pressures.

Themes

IndividualismSocietyLonelinessSelf-DiscoveryHerd Mentality

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the importance of self-reflection and staying true to oneself.

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Watch them clamber, these swift monkeys! They clamber over one another and thus drag one another into the mud and the depth. They all want to get to the throne: that is their madness β€” as if happiness sat on the throne. Often, mud sits on the throne β€” and often the throne also on mud. Mad they all appear to me, clambering monkeys and overardent. Foul smells their idol, the cold monster: foul, they smell to me altogether, these idolators.
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