higher man

at his highest would represent the antithetical character of existence most strongly — man must grow better and more evil at once.

“Our insight is the opposite of this: that with every growth of man, his other side must grow too; that the highest man, if such a concept be allowed, would be the man who represented the antithetical character of existence most strongly, as its glory and sole justification”

at his highest would have the greatest multiplicity of drives in the greatest strength that can be endured — as in Shakespeare, instincts that conflict powerfully but are controlled.

“The highest man would have the greatest multiplicity of drives, in the relatively greatest strength that can be endured. Indeed, where the plant "man" shows himself strongest one finds instincts that conflict powerfully (e.g., in Shakespeare), but are controlled.”

is afflicted because everything that distinguishes him reaches his consciousness accompanied by a feeling of diminution — his strengths are the cause of his gloom, while the mediocre stay cheerful.

“The whole of European morality is based upon what is useful to the herd: the affliction of all higher, rarer men lies in this, that everything that distinguishes them enters their consciousness accompanied by a feeling of diminution and discredit.”

higher man, n.Definitions

higher man