What's great in a human is being a bridge, not an end.
Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Prologue 4
Was gross ist am Menschen, das ist, dass er eine Brücke und kein Zweck ist
What's great in a human is being a bridge, not an end.
Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Prologue 4
What it means
Nietzsche values people for what they make possible beyond themselves. You are a passage to something more. Live so that what comes after you is better.
The source
"What's great in a human is being a bridge, not an end." Nietzsche said it in Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Prologue 4. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.
"Was gross ist am Menschen, das ist, dass er eine Brücke und kein Zweck ist"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 "What's great in a human is being a bridge, not an end." mean?
- Nietzsche values people for what they make possible beyond themselves. You are a passage to something more. Live so that what comes after you is better.
- Who said "What's great in a human is being a bridge, not an end."?
- Nietzsche (1844–1900). Source: Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Prologue 4.
- What is the original German?
- Was gross ist am Menschen, das ist, dass er eine Brücke und kein Zweck ist. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.
- Is "What's great in a human is being a bridge, not an end." 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
"What's great in a human is being a bridge, not an end." (Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Prologue 4, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/whats-great-in-a-human-is-being-a
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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