John Shaqi
Western1844–1900

Nietzsche

Prussia

German philosopher of will, value, and the death of God, author of Thus Spoke Zarathustra.

Nietzsche
Friedrich Hermann Hartmann · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Biography

Friedrich Nietzsche was a Lutheran pastor's son who became modernity's most unsparing physician of religion. A prodigy — full professor of philology at Basel at twenty-four — he resigned in ill health at thirty-four and spent a decade writing in boarding houses, nearly unread, before his collapse in Turin in 1889.

His famous sentence is almost always misquoted in spirit. "God is dead" — announced by the madman in The Gay Science (1882) — is not a boast but a diagnosis: European civilization had ceased to believe, yet went on living off the moral capital of the faith it abandoned, and had not begun to feel the earthquake. The question that consumed him was what comes after: nihilism, or a revaluation of all values.

On the Genealogy of Morality (1887) is his most disciplined work: an argument that Christian morality arose as slave morality — the resentment of the powerless transmuting weakness into virtue and strength into sin — and that its crowning value, selfless pity, turns life against itself. Thus Spoke Zarathustra (1883–85) offered the countermovement in prophetic costume: the Übermensch, the will to power, the eternal recurrence as a test of whether one could love one's life enough to will it endlessly again.

He admired Jesus while despising what Paul, in his reading, built from the crucifixion (The Antichrist, 1888). He kept a strange respect for the Old Testament and for Islam's lack of pity-morality, and reserved his contempt for comfortable modern unbelievers who kept Christian ethics without Christian metaphysics — the "English flat-heads."

His sister edited his remains into a proto-fascist forgery the Nazis exploited; the actual books despise antisemitism and German nationalism alike. Psychology of religion, existentialism, and every serious modern defense of faith — which must now answer him — carry his fingerprints.

Works

Beyond Good and EvilNietzsche
Beyond Good and Evil

Beyond Good and Evil

en

Ethics; Philosophy, German

Beyond Good and EvilNietzsche
Beyond Good and Evil

Beyond Good and Evil

en

Ethics; Philosophy, German

Early Greek Philosophy & Other Essays: Collected Works, Volume TwoNietzsche
Early Greek Philosophy & Other Essays: Collected Works, Volume Two

Early Greek Philosophy & Other Essays: Collected Works, Volume Two

en

Philosophy, Ancient

Ecce Homo: Complete Works, Volume SeventeenNietzsche
Ecce Homo: Complete Works, Volume Seventeen

Ecce Homo: Complete Works, Volume Seventeen

en

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900; Philosophers -- Germany -- Biography

Egoists, A Book of Supermen: Stendhal, Baudelaire, Flaubert, Anatole France, Huysmans, Barrès, Nietzsche, Blake, Ibsen, Stirner, and Ernest HelloNietzsche
Egoists, A Book of Supermen: Stendhal, Baudelaire, Flaubert, Anatole France, Huysmans, Barrès, Nietzsche, Blake, Ibsen, Stirner, and Ernest Hello

Egoists, A Book of Supermen: Stendhal, Baudelaire, Flaubert, Anatole France, Huysmans, Barrès, Nietzsche, Blake, Ibsen, Stirner, and Ernest Hello

en

Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- History and criticism

Friedrich NietzscheNietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche

Friedrich Nietzsche

en

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900; Philosophers -- Germany -- Biography; Philosophy, German -- 19th century

Homer and Classical PhilologyNietzsche
Homer and Classical Philology

Homer and Classical Philology

en

Classical philology; Homer; Speeches, addresses, etc.

Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free SpiritsNietzsche
Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirits

Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirits

en

Human beings

Human, All-Too-Human: A Book for Free Spirits, Part 1: Complete Works, Volume SixNietzsche
Human, All-Too-Human: A Book for Free Spirits, Part 1: Complete Works, Volume Six

Human, All-Too-Human: A Book for Free Spirits, Part 1: Complete Works, Volume Six

en

Human beings

Human, All-Too-Human: A Book for Free Spirits, Part 2Nietzsche
Human, All-Too-Human: A Book for Free Spirits, Part 2

Human, All-Too-Human: A Book for Free Spirits, Part 2

en

Human beings

Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Friedrich NietzscheNietzsche
Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Friedrich Nietzsche

Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Friedrich Nietzsche

en

Indexes

Nietzsche and ArtNietzsche
Nietzsche and Art

Nietzsche and Art

en

Aesthetics, German -- 19th century; Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900 -- Aesthetics

Nietzsche and Other Exponents of IndividualismNietzsche
Nietzsche and Other Exponents of Individualism

Nietzsche and Other Exponents of Individualism

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Individualism; Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900

Nietzsche: His Life and WorksNietzsche
Nietzsche: His Life and Works

Nietzsche: His Life and Works

en

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900

On the Future of our Educational InstitutionsNietzsche
On the Future of our Educational Institutions

On the Future of our Educational Institutions

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Education -- Philosophy; Educational change -- Germany; Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900 -- Views on education

On the Future of our Educational Institutions; Homer and Classical Philology: Complete Works, Volume ThreeNietzsche
On the Future of our Educational Institutions; Homer and Classical Philology: Complete Works, Volume Three

On the Future of our Educational Institutions; Homer and Classical Philology: Complete Works, Volume Three

en

Classical philology; Education -- Philosophy; Educational change -- Germany; Homer; Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900 -- Views on education

Overtones, a book of temperaments : $b Richard Strauss, Parsifal, Verdi, Balzac, Flaubert, Nietzsche, and TurgénieffNietzsche
Overtones, a book of temperaments : $b Richard Strauss, Parsifal, Verdi, Balzac, Flaubert, Nietzsche, and Turgénieff

Overtones, a book of temperaments : $b Richard Strauss, Parsifal, Verdi, Balzac, Flaubert, Nietzsche, and Turgénieff

en

Music

Prophets of Dissent : Essays on Maeterlinck, Strindberg, Nietzsche and TolstoyNietzsche
Prophets of Dissent : Essays on Maeterlinck, Strindberg, Nietzsche and Tolstoy

Prophets of Dissent : Essays on Maeterlinck, Strindberg, Nietzsche and Tolstoy

en

Maeterlinck, Maurice, 1862-1949; Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900; Strindberg, August, 1849-1912; Tolstoy, Leo, graf, 1828-1910

The AntichristNietzsche
The Antichrist

The Antichrist

en

Christianity -- Controversial literature

The AntichristNietzsche
The Antichrist

The Antichrist

en

Christianity -- Controversial literature

The Birth of Tragedy; or, Hellenism and PessimismNietzsche
The Birth of Tragedy; or, Hellenism and Pessimism

The Birth of Tragedy; or, Hellenism and Pessimism

en

Aesthetics; Greek drama (Tragedy) -- History and criticism -- Theory, etc.; Music -- Philosophy and aesthetics; Mythology, Greek, in literature; Tragedy; Tragic, The

The Case of Wagner, Nietzsche Contra Wagner, and Selected Aphorisms.Nietzsche
The Case of Wagner, Nietzsche Contra Wagner, and Selected Aphorisms.

The Case of Wagner, Nietzsche Contra Wagner, and Selected Aphorisms.

en

Essays; Literature -- Collections; Music -- History and criticism; Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883

The Case of Wagner: Complete Works, Volume 8Nietzsche
The Case of Wagner: Complete Works, Volume 8

The Case of Wagner: Complete Works, Volume 8

en

Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883

The Dawn of DayNietzsche
The Dawn of Day

The Dawn of Day

en

Ethics; Prejudices

The Genealogy of Morals: The Complete Works, Volume Thirteen, edited by Dr. Oscar Levy.Nietzsche
The Genealogy of Morals: The Complete Works, Volume Thirteen, edited by Dr. Oscar Levy.

The Genealogy of Morals: The Complete Works, Volume Thirteen, edited by Dr. Oscar Levy.

en

Ethics

The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza")Nietzsche
The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza")

The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza")

en

Philosophy

The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza"): Complete Works, Volume TenNietzsche
The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza"): Complete Works, Volume Ten

The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza"): Complete Works, Volume Ten

en

Philosophy

The life of Friedrich NietzscheNietzsche
The life of Friedrich Nietzsche

The life of Friedrich Nietzsche

en

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900

The Philosophy of Friedrich NietzscheNietzsche
The Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche

The Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche

en

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900; Philosophy, German -- 19th century

The Twilight of the Idols; or, How to Philosophize with the Hammer. The Antichrist: Complete Works, Volume SixteenNietzsche
The Twilight of the Idols; or, How to Philosophize with the Hammer. The Antichrist: Complete Works, Volume Sixteen

The Twilight of the Idols; or, How to Philosophize with the Hammer. The Antichrist: Complete Works, Volume Sixteen

en

Philosophy

The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book I and IINietzsche
The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book I and II

The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book I and II

en

Nihilism (Philosophy); Power (Philosophy); Values

The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IVNietzsche
The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV

The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV

en

Nihilism (Philosophy); Power (Philosophy); Values

Thoughts out of Season, Part INietzsche
Thoughts out of Season, Part I

Thoughts out of Season, Part I

en

Philosophy, German; Strauss, David Friedrich, 1808-1874; Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883

Thoughts out of Season, Part I: David Strauss, the Confessor and the Writer - Richard Wagner in Bayreuth.Nietzsche
Thoughts out of Season, Part I: David Strauss, the Confessor and the Writer - Richard Wagner in Bayreuth.

Thoughts out of Season, Part I: David Strauss, the Confessor and the Writer - Richard Wagner in Bayreuth.

en

Strauss, David Friedrich, 1808-1874; Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883

Thoughts Out of Season, Part IINietzsche
Thoughts Out of Season, Part II

Thoughts Out of Season, Part II

en

History -- Study and teaching; Schopenhauer, Arthur, 1788-1860

Thus Spake Zarathustra: A Book for All and NoneNietzsche
Thus Spake Zarathustra: A Book for All and None

Thus Spake Zarathustra: A Book for All and None

en

Philosophy, German; Superman (Philosophical concept)

We Philologists: Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Volume 8Nietzsche
We Philologists: Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Volume 8

We Philologists: Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Volume 8

en

Classical philology; Education

What Nietzsche TaughtNietzsche
What Nietzsche Taught

What Nietzsche Taught

en

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900; Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1844-1900 -- Criticism and interpretation; Philosophy

Thus Spoke ZarathustraNietzsche
Thus Spoke Zarathustra

Thus Spoke Zarathustra

German

Beyond Good and EvilNietzsche
Beyond Good and Evil

Beyond Good and Evil

German

Quote Attribution

Identify the philosopher behind a quote using AI.

Books by & about Nietzsche

Works by and about Nietzsche — readable in full, right here in the Library.

Beyond Good and EvilNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
Beyond Good and Evil

Beyond Good and Evil

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
Early Greek Philosophy & Other Essays: Collected Works, Volume TwoNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Early Greek Philosophy & Other Essays: Collected Works, Volume Two

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
Ecce Homo: Complete Works, Volume SeventeenNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
Ecce Homo: Complete Works, Volume Seventeen

Ecce Homo: Complete Works, Volume Seventeen

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
Homer and Classical PhilologyNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Homer and Classical Philology

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free SpiritsNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirits

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
Human, All-Too-Human: A Book for Free Spirits, Part 1: Complete Works, Volume SixNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Human, All-Too-Human: A Book for Free Spirits, Part 1: Complete Works, Volume Six

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
Human, All-Too-Human: A Book for Free Spirits, Part 2Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Human, All-Too-Human: A Book for Free Spirits, Part 2

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Friedrich NietzscheNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Friedrich Nietzsche

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
On the Future of our Educational InstitutionsNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
On the Future of our Educational Institutions

On the Future of our Educational Institutions

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
On the Future of our Educational Institutions; Homer and Classical Philology: Complete Works, Volume ThreeNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

On the Future of our Educational Institutions; Homer and Classical Philology: Complete Works, Volume Three

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
The AntichristNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
The Antichrist

The Antichrist

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
The Birth of Tragedy; or, Hellenism and PessimismNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
The Birth of Tragedy; or, Hellenism and Pessimism

The Birth of Tragedy; or, Hellenism and Pessimism

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
The Case of Wagner, Nietzsche Contra Wagner, and Selected Aphorisms.Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
The Case of Wagner, Nietzsche Contra Wagner, and Selected Aphorisms.

The Case of Wagner, Nietzsche Contra Wagner, and Selected Aphorisms.

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
The Case of Wagner: Complete Works, Volume 8Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

The Case of Wagner: Complete Works, Volume 8

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
The Dawn of DayNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
The Dawn of Day

The Dawn of Day

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
The Genealogy of Morals: The Complete Works, Volume Thirteen, edited by Dr. Oscar Levy.Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

The Genealogy of Morals: The Complete Works, Volume Thirteen, edited by Dr. Oscar Levy.

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza")Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza")

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza"): Complete Works, Volume TenNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza"): Complete Works, Volume Ten

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
The Twilight of the Idols; or, How to Philosophize with the Hammer. The Antichrist: Complete Works, Volume SixteenNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

The Twilight of the Idols; or, How to Philosophize with the Hammer. The Antichrist: Complete Works, Volume Sixteen

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book I and IINietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book I and II

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IVNietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV

The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
Thoughts out of Season, Part INietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
Thoughts out of Season, Part I

Thoughts out of Season, Part I

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

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Thoughts out of Season, Part I: David Strauss, the Confessor and the Writer - Richard Wagner in Bayreuth.Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Thoughts out of Season, Part I: David Strauss, the Confessor and the Writer - Richard Wagner in Bayreuth.

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

Read on site →
Thoughts Out of Season, Part IINietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm
Thoughts Out of Season, Part II

Thoughts Out of Season, Part II

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

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