Firstly, I need to say that for the most part I'm only drawn to authors who share the same sentiments as I do - it has always helped me better understand myself, as if seeing me with someone else's eyes and being able to judge what this person is really worth. Thus my favorite philosopher has been and remains the legendary Friedrich Nietzsche. I've just finished reading his book La Gaya Scienza a few days ago, and having read this work of his just further made me think of him as my little hero. I'm thankful to this world for bringing Nietzsche into it.
Friedrich Nietzsche, The Gay Science - 341: The greatest weight.
"What, if some day or night a demon were to steal after you in your loneliest loneliness and say to you: "This life as you now live it and have lived it, you will have to live once more and innumerable times more; and there will be nothing new in it, but every pain and every joy and every thought and sigh and everything unutterably small or great in your life will have to return to you, all in the same succession and sequence — even this spider and this moonlight between the trees, and even this moment and I myself. The eternal hourglass of existence is turned upside down again and again — and you with it, speck of dust!" — Would you not throw yourself down and gnash your teeth and curse the demon who spoke thus? Or have you once experienced a tremendous moment when you would have answered him: "You are a god and never have I heard anything more divine!" If this thought gained possession of you, it would change you as you are or perhaps crush you; the question in each and every thing, "Do you desire this once more, and innumerable times more?" would lie upon your actions as the greatest weight! Or how well disposed would you have to become to yourself and to life to crave nothing more fervently than this ultimate eternal confirmation and seal?"
"What, if some day or night a demon were to steal after you in your loneliest loneliness and say to you: "This life as you now live it and have lived it, you will have to live once more and innumerable times more; and there will be nothing new in it, but every pain and every joy and every thought and sigh and everything unutterably small or great in your life will have to return to you, all in the same succession and sequence — even this spider and this moonlight between the trees, and even this moment and I myself. The eternal hourglass of existence is turned upside down again and again — and you with it, speck of dust!" — Would you not throw yourself down and gnash your teeth and curse the demon who spoke thus? Or have you once experienced a tremendous moment when you would have answered him: "You are a god and never have I heard anything more divine!" If this thought gained possession of you, it would change you as you are or perhaps crush you; the question in each and every thing, "Do you desire this once more, and innumerable times more?" would lie upon your actions as the greatest weight! Or how well disposed would you have to become to yourself and to life to crave nothing more fervently than this ultimate eternal confirmation and seal?"
Thank you for sharing, I never really read his work but after reading your post, I may.
ReplyDeleteHave great time, take care :)
I love this thought-provoking excerpt. A next door neighbor during college quoted Nietzsche frequently but it was never as interesting as this passage! Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful to you for bringing Nietzsche into my world!
ReplyDeleteThat excerpt from Nietzsche's book made me think... thanks for sharing this Julia! xoxo
ReplyDeleteVery interesting snippet! Love thinking about Philosopher's words.
ReplyDelete