A pessimistic attitude of mind and a pessimistic doctrine and ecstatic Nihilism, may in certain circumstances even prove indispensable to the philosopher--that is to say, as a mighty form of pressure, or hammer, with which he can smash up degenerate, perishing races and put them out of existence; with which he can beat a track to a new order of life, or instil a longing for nonentity in those who are degenerate and who desire to perish. 1056. I wish to teach the thought which gives unto many the right to cancel their existences--the great disciplinary thought. 1057. _Eternal Recurrence. _ A prophecy. 1. The exposition of the doctrine and its _theoretical_ first principles and results. 2. The proof of the doctrine. 3. Probable results which will follow from its being _believed._ (It makes everything break open.) _(a)_ The means of enduring it. _(b)_ The means of ignoring it. 4. Its place in history is a means. The period _of_ greatest danger. The foundation of an oligarchy _above_ peoples and their interests: education directed at establishing a political policy for humanity in general. _A counterpart of Jesuitism._ 1058. The two greatest philosophical points of view (both discovered by Germans). (a) That of _becoming_ and that of _evolution._ (b) That based upon the _values of existence_ (but the wretched form of German pessimism must first be overcome!)-- Both points of view reconciled by me in a decisive manner. Everything becomes and returns for ever, _escape is impossible!_ Granted that we _could_ appraise the value of existence, what would be the result of it? The thought of recurrence is a principle _of selection_ in the service of _power_ (and barbarity!). The ripeness of man for this thought. 1059. 1. The thought of eternal recurrence: its first principles which must necessarily be true if it were true. What its result is. 2. It is the most _oppressive_ thought: its probable results, provided it be not prevented, that is to say, provided all values be not transvalued. 3. The means of _enduring it:_ the transvaluation of all values. Pleasure no longer to be found in certainty, but in uncertainty; no longer "cause and effect," but continual creativeness; no longer the will to self-preservation, but to power; no longer the modest expression "it is all _only_ subjective," but "it is all _our_ work! let us be proud of it." 1060. In order to endure the thought of recurrence, freedom from morality is necessary; new means against the _fact pain_ (pain regarded as the instrument, as the father of pleasure; there is no accretive consciousness of pain); pleasure derived from all kinds of uncertainty and tentativeness, as a counterpoise to extreme fatalism; suppression of the concept "necessity"; suppression of the "will"; suppression of "absolute knowledge." _Greatest elevation_ of man's _consciousness of strength,_ as that which creates superman. 1061.