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You shall not steal! You shall not kill! Such words were…

“You shall not steal! You shall not kill! Such words were once called holy; before them people bowrd their knees and heads, and removed their shoes. But I ask you: where have there ever been better thieves and killers in the world than such holy words have been? Is there not in all of life itself…” quote by Friedrich Nietzsche
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“You shall not steal! You shall not kill! Such words were once called holy; before them people bowrd their knees and heads, and removed their shoes. But I ask you: where have there ever been better thieves and killers in the world than such holy words have been? Is there not in all of life itself - robbing and killing? And when such words were called holy, was not truth itself thereby - killed?”

Friedrich Nietzsche

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Moral commandments labeled holy often mask inherent violence, questioning the truth of such absolutes.

In simple terms: Holy rules can hide violence and false truth.

Key Takeaway

Question the morality of absolute commands.

Themes

morality religion truth

Mood

critical provocative

Type

philosophical challenging

When to use this quote

  • legal systems
  • religious practice
  • personal ethics
  • education

Key Concepts

ethics philosophy psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What truths lie beyond sacred rules?
  • How do you discern genuine morality?
A Different Perspective

Blind adherence may suppress critical thought.

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