The absurd and contemptible form of idealism which would not have mediocrity mediocre, and which instead of feeling triumphant at being exceptional, becomes _indignant_ at cowardice, falseness, pettiness, and wretchedness. _We should not wish things to be any different,_ we should make the gulfs even _wider_!--The higher types among men should be compelled to distinguish themselves by means of the sacrifices which they make to their own existence. _Principal point of view; distances_ must be established, but _no contrasts must be created._ The _middle classes_ must be dissolved, and their influence decreased: this is the principal means of maintaining distances. 892. Who would dare to disgust the mediocre of their mediocrity! As you observe, I do precisely the reverse: every step away from mediocrity--thus do I teach--leads to _immorality._ 893. To hate mediocrity is unworthy of a philosopher: it is almost a note of interrogation to his "_right_ to philosophy." It is precisely because he is the exception that he must protect the rule and ingratiate all mediocre people. 894. What I combat: that an exceptional form should make war upon the rule--instead of understanding that the continued existence of the rule is the first condition of the value of the exception. For instance, there are women who, instead of considering their abnormal thirst for knowledge as a distinction, would fain dislocate the whole status of womanhood. 895. The _increase of strength_ despite the temporary ruin of the individual:-- A new level must be established; We must have a method of storing up forces for the maintenance of small performances, in opposition to economic waste; Destructive nature must for once be reduced to an _instrument_ of this economy of the future; The weak must be maintained, because there is an enormous mass of _finicking_ work to be done; The weak and the suffering must be upheld in their belief that existence is still possible; _Solidarity_ must be implanted as an instinct opposed to the instinct of fear and servility; War must be made upon accident, even upon the accident of "the great man." 896. War upon _great_ men justified on economic grounds. Great men are dangerous; they are accidents, exceptions, tempests, which are strong enough to question things which it has taken time to build and establish. Explosive material must not only be discharged harmlessly, but, if possible, its discharge must be _prevented_ altogether, this is the fundamental instinct of all civilised society. 897.