One must shed the bad taste of wanting to agree with many…
“One must shed the bad taste of wanting to agree with many. "Good" is no longer good when one's neighbor mouths it. And how should there be a "common good"! The term contradicts itself: whatever can be common always has little value. In the end it must be as it is and always has been: great things remain for the great, abysses for the profound, nuances and shudders for the refined, and, in brief, all that is rare for the rare.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He argues that true greatness cannot be reduced to popular consensus; rarity and depth are valuable, while commonality dilutes worth.
In simple terms: Greatness is rare, common is cheap.
Key Takeaway
Seek depth over popularity.
Themes
individualism
rarity
philosophy
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- leadership
- creative work
- personal development
Key Concepts
Existentialism
value theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What do you value more: uniqueness or acceptance?
- How does conformity limit innovation?
A Different Perspective
Common approval may suppress true excellence.