Vice is a somewhat arbitrary epitome of certain effects resulting from physiological degeneracy. A general proposition such as that which Christianity teaches, namely, "Man is evil," would be justified provided one were justified in regarding a given type of degenerate man as normal. But this may be an exaggeration. Of course, wherever Christianity prospers and prevails, the proposition holds good: for then the existence of an unhealthy soil--of a degenerate territory--is demonstrated. 269 It is difficult to have sufficient respect for man, when one sees how he understands the art of fighting his way, of enduring, of turning circumstances to his own advantage, and of overthrowing opponents; but when he is seen in the light of his _desires,_ he is the most absurd of all animals. 269 As to the whole socialistic ideal: it is nothing but a blockheaded misunderstanding of the Christian moral ideal. 275 An ideal which is striving to prevail or to assert itself endeavours to further its purpose (a) by laying claim to a _spurious_ origin; (b) by assuming a relationship between itself and the powerful ideals already existing; (c) by means of the thrill produced by mystery, as though an unquestionable power were manifesting itself; (d) by the slander of its opponents' ideals; (e) by a lying teaching of the advantages which follow in its wake, for instance: happiness, spiritual peace, general peace, or even the assistance of a mighty God. 278 My view: all the forces and instincts which are the source of life are lying beneath the _ban of morality:_ morality is the life-denying instinct. Morality must be annihilated if life is to be emancipated. 278 Every one's desire is that there should be no other teaching and valuation of things than those by means of which he himself succeeds. Thus the _fundamental tendency_ of the _weak_ and _mediocre_ of all times, has been to _enfeeble the strong and to reduce them to the level of the weak: their chief weapon in this process_ was the _moral principle._ The attitude of the strong towards the weak is branded as evil; the highest states of the strong become bad bywords. 279 Every small community (or individual), finding itself involved in a struggle, strives to convince itself of this: "Good taste, good judgment, and virtue are ours." War urges people to this exaggerated self-esteem. 281 Whatever kind of eccentric ideal one may have (whether as a "Christian," a "free-spirit," an "immoralist," or a German Imperialist), one should try to avoid insisting upon its being _the_ ideal; for, by so doing, it is deprived of all its privileged nature. One should have an ideal as a distinction; one should not propagate it, and thus level one's self down to the rest of mankind. 281 Real heroism consists, _not_ in fighting under the banner of self-sacrifice, submission and disinterestedness, but in _not fighting at all_.... "I am thus: I will be thus--and you can go to the devil!" 282