What [Nietzsche] calls slave morality is to him purely…
“What [Nietzsche] calls slave morality is to him purely spite-morality; and this spite-morality gave new names to all ideals. Thus impotence, which offers no reprisal, became goodness; craven baseness became humility; submission to him who was feared became obedience; inability to assert one's self became reluctance to assert one's self, became forgiveness, love of one's enemies. Misery became a distinction”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Nietzsche’s critique shows how resentment reshapes virtues, turning weakness into moral praise.
In simple terms: Spite turns weakness into praised virtues.
Recognize when values stem from resentment.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- political discourse
- social movements
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we differentiate genuine virtue from resentment?
- Can we reclaim strength without demeaning others?
May oversimplify complex moral development.