_General survey: the ambiguous_ character of our _modern world_--precisely the same symptoms might at the same time be indicative of either _decline_ or _strength._ And the signs of strength and of emancipation dearly bought, might in view of traditional (or _hereditary_) appreciations concerned with the feelings, be _misunderstood_ as indications of weakness. In short, _feeling,_ as a _means of fixing valuations,_ is not _on a level with the times._ _Generalised_: Every valuation is always _backward_; it is merely the expression of the conditions which favoured survival and growth in a much earlier age: it struggles against new conditions of existence out of which it did not arise, and which it therefore necessarily misunderstands: it hinders, and excites suspicion against, all that is new. 111. _The problem of the nineteenth century._--To discover whether its strong and weak side belong to each other. Whether they have been cut from one and the same piece. Whether the variety of its ideals and their contradictions are conditioned by a higher purpose: whether they are something higher.--For it might be _the prerequisite of greatness,_ that growth should take place amid such violent tension. Dissatisfaction, Nihilism, _might be a good sign._ 112. _General survey._--As a matter of fact, all abundant growth involves a concomitant process of _crumbling to bits_ and _decay_: suffering and the symptoms of decline _belong_ to ages of enormous progress; every fruitful and powerful movement of mankind has always _brought about_ a concurrent Nihilistic movement. Under certain circumstances, the appearance of _the extremest_ form of Pessimism and actual _Nihilism_ might be the sign of a process of incisive and most essential growth, and of mankind's transit into completely new conditions of existence. _This is what I have understood._ 113. _A._ Starting out with a thoroughly courageous _appreciation_ of our men of to-day:--we must not allow ourselves to be deceived by appearance: this mankind is much less effective, but it gives quite different pledges of _lasting strength,_ its tempo is slower, but the rhythm itself is richer. _Healthiness_ is increasing, the real conditions of a healthy body are on the point of being known, and will gradually be created, "asceticism" is regarded with irony. The fear of extremes, a certain confidence in the "right way," no raving: a periodical self-habituation to narrower values (such as "mother-land," "science," etc.). This whole picture, however, would still be _ambiguous_: it might be a movement either of _increase_ or _decline_ in Life. _B._ The belief in "progress"--in lower spheres of intelligence, appears as increasing life: but this is self-deception; in higher spheres of intelligence it is a sign of _declining_ life. Description of the symptoms. The unity of the aspect: uncertainty in regard to the standard of valuation. Fear of a general "in vain." Nihilism. 114.