In both cases _complete ingenuousness_ reigns: the falseness _never_ even occurs to the mind of those concerned. It is the sign of a _broken_ instinct when man sees the motive force and its "expression" ("the mask") as separate things--it is a sign of inner contradiction and is much less formidable. Absolute _innocence_ in bearing, word, and passion, a "good conscience" in falseness, and the certainty wherewith all the grandest and most pompous words and attitudes are appropriated--all these things are necessary for victory. In the _other case_: that is to say, when _extreme clearsightedness_ is present, the genius of the _actor_ is needful as well as tremendous discipline in self-control, if victory is to be achieved. That is why priests are the cleverest and _most conscious_ hypocrites; and then come princes, in whom their position in life and their antecedents account for a certain histrionic gift. Society men and diplomatists come third, and women fourth. _The fundamental thought_: Falsity seems so deep, so many-sided, and the _will_ is directed so inexorably against perfect self-knowledge and accurate self-classification, that one is _very probably right in supposing that Truth_ and _the will to truth_ are perhaps something quite different and only _disguises._ (The need of _faith_ is the greatest obstacle in the way of truthfulness.) 378. "Thou shalt not tell a falsehood": people insist upon truthfulness. But the acknowledgment of facts (the refusal to allow one's self to be lied to) has always been greatest with liars: they actually recognised the reality of this popular "truthfulness." There is too much or too little being said continually: to insist upon people's _exposing themselves_ with every word they say, is a piece of naïveté. People say what they think, they are "truthful"; but _only under certain circumstances_: that is to say, provided they be _understood_ (_inter pares_), and understood with good will into the bargain (_once more inter pares_). One conceals one's self in the presence of the _unfamiliar_: and he who would attain to something, says what he would fain have people think about him, but _not_ what he thinks. ("The powerful man is always a liar.") 379. The great counterfeit coinage of Nihilism concealed beneath an artful abuse of moral values:-- _(a)_ Love regarded as self-effacement; as also pity. _(b)_ The _most impersonal intellect_ ("the philosopher") can know the _truth_, "the true essence and nature of things." _(c)_ Genius, _great men_ are _great,_ because they do not strive to further their own interests: the _value_ of man _increases_ in proportion as he effaces himself. _(d)_ Art as the work of the "_pure free-willed subject_"; misunderstanding of "objectivity." _(e)_ Happiness as the object of life: _virtue_ as a means to an end. The pessimistic condemnation of life by Schopenhauer is a _moral_ one. Transference of the gregarious standards into the realm of metaphysics.