Stare into the abyss and the abyss stares back.

What it means

What you dwell on enters you. Darkness studied too long leaves its mark. Look, learn and step back.

The source

"Stare into the abyss and the abyss stares back." Nietzsche said it in Beyond Good and Evil 146. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

"Und wenn du lange in einen Abgrund blickst, blickt der Abgrund auch in dich hinein."

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 "Stare into the abyss and the abyss stares back." mean?

What you dwell on enters you. Darkness studied too long leaves its mark. Look, learn and step back.

Who said "Stare into the abyss and the abyss stares back."?

Nietzsche (1844–1900). Source: Beyond Good and Evil 146.

What is the original German?

Und wenn du lange in einen Abgrund blickst, blickt der Abgrund auch in dich hinein. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Stare into the abyss and the abyss stares back." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Stare into the abyss and the abyss stares back." (Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil 146, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/stare-into-the-abyss-and-the-abyss-stares