Fight monsters and take care not to become one.
Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil 146
Wer mit Ungeheuern kämpft, mag zusehn, dass er nicht dabei zum Ungeheuer wird.
Fight monsters and take care not to become one.
Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil 146
What it means
Fighting something ugly can make you ugly. The methods you use to win may change you. Win without becoming the thing you fought.
The source
"Fight monsters and take care not to become one." Nietzsche said it in Beyond Good and Evil 146. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.
"Wer mit Ungeheuern kämpft, mag zusehn, dass er nicht dabei zum Ungeheuer wird."Original German, Beyond Good and Evil 146. Text read at gutenberg.org.
Who said it
Nietzsche (1844–1900). German philosopher who wrote Thus Spoke Zarathustra and philosophized with a hammer. He asked people to say yes to life, hardship and all.
Questions
- What does "Fight monsters and take care not to become one." mean?
- Fighting something ugly can make you ugly. The methods you use to win may change you. Win without becoming the thing you fought.
- Who said "Fight monsters and take care not to become one."?
- Nietzsche (1844–1900). Source: Beyond Good and Evil 146.
- What is the original German?
- Wer mit Ungeheuern kämpft, mag zusehn, dass er nicht dabei zum Ungeheuer wird. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.
- Is "Fight monsters and take care not to become one." on a shirt?
- Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.
Cite this line
"Fight monsters and take care not to become one." (Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil 146, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/fight-monsters-and-take-care-not-to-become
Filed under Quotes about character.
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More from Nietzsche
- What doesn't kill me makes me stronger.Twilight of the Idols, Maxims 8
- Have your why, and you can bear almost any how.Twilight of the Idols, Maxims 12
- Without music, life would be a mistake.Twilight of the Idols, Maxims 33
- Only thoughts that come from walking have value.Twilight of the Idols, Maxims 34
- A yes, a no, a straight line, a goal.Twilight of the Idols, Maxims 44
- Humanity is something to be overcome.Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Prologue 3