The Will to Power

by Nietzsche, Friedrich (1968)

Abstract

Assembled by Nietzsche's sister after his death, The Will to Power is a collection of the philosopher's reflections and theories taken from his unpublished notebooks. Covering topics such as nihilism, Christianity, morality and the famous 'will to power', the book was controversially presented as Nietzsche's all-but-completed magnum opus containing his philosophical system. Including some of his most interesting metaphysical and epistemological thoughts, as well as some of his most disturbing ethical and political comments, the book would prove to have a significant influence on Nietzsche's contentious reception in the twentieth century.

Key Passage

763: From the future of the worker. Workers should learn to feel like soldiers. honorarium, an income, but no pay! No relation between payment and achievement! But the individual, each according to his kind, should be so placed that he can achieve the highest that lies in power. 764: The workers shall live one day as the bourgeois do now-but above them, distinguished by their freedom from wants, the higher caste : that is to say, poorer and simpler, but in possession of power. For lower men the reverse valuation obtains; it is a question of implanting "virtues" in them. Absolute commands; terrible means of compulsion; to tear them away from the easy life. The others may obey; and their vanity demands that they appear to dependent, not on great men, but on "principles."  (p.400)

Keywords

Nietzsche, Philosophy, Nihilism, Wage, Social Class, Virtue

Themes

Nietzsche Citations

Links to Reference

• https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/234125034

Translator

Kaufman, W.; Hollingdale, R. J.

Citation

Share

How to contribute.