Memory says I did it. Pride says I couldn't have. Memory gives in.

Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil 68

What it means

Nietzsche catches the way we rewrite our own history. Pride is stubborn and memory folds. Be suspicious of a past that flatters you.

The source

"Memory says I did it. Pride says I couldn't have. Memory gives in." Nietzsche said it in Beyond Good and Evil 68. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

""Das habe ich gethan" sagt mein Gedächtniss. Das kann ich nicht gethan haben - sagt mein Stolz und bleibt unerbittlich. Endlich - giebt das Gedächtniss nach."

Original German, Beyond Good and Evil 68. 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 "Memory says I did it. Pride says I couldn't have. Memory gives in." mean?: Nietzsche catches the way we rewrite our own history. Pride is stubborn and memory folds. Be suspicious of a past that flatters you.
Who said "Memory says I did it. Pride says I couldn't have. Memory gives in."?: Nietzsche (1844–1900). Source: Beyond Good and Evil 68.
What is the original German?: "Das habe ich gethan" sagt mein Gedächtniss. Das kann ich nicht gethan haben - sagt mein Stolz und bleibt unerbittlich. Endlich - giebt das Gedächtniss nach. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.
Is "Memory says I did it. Pride says I couldn't have. Memory gives in." on a shirt?: Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 6 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"Memory says I did it. Pride says I couldn't have. Memory gives in." (Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil 68, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/memory-says-i-did-it-pride-says-i