Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Prologue 4
What it means
Zarathustra watches a tightrope walker and finds an image for the human condition. We are in between, crossing something dangerous. Keep walking forward.
The source
"Man is a rope over an abyss." Nietzsche said it in Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Prologue 4. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.
"Der Mensch ist ein Seil, geknüpft zwischen Thier und Übermensch,—ein Seil über einem Abgrunde."Original German, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Prologue 4. 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 "Man is a rope over an abyss." mean?
- Zarathustra watches a tightrope walker and finds an image for the human condition. We are in between, crossing something dangerous. Keep walking forward.
- Who said "Man is a rope over an abyss."?
- Nietzsche (1844–1900). Source: Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Prologue 4.
- What is the original German?
- Der Mensch ist ein Seil, geknüpft zwischen Thier und Übermensch,—ein Seil über einem Abgrunde. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.
- Is "Man is a rope over an abyss." 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
"Man is a rope over an abyss." (Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Prologue 4, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/man-is-a-rope-over-an-abyss
Filed under Quotes about discipline and grit.
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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