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Nietzsche Quote by Ernst Bertram

“prophecy directed at the past, the yearning for ancestors projected into the future – that is Nietzsche's divine feeling of humanity. the mature individual who, conscious of of his responsability, shoulders the entire burden of human tradition, who is the highest point in the arch of the bridge…” quote by Ernst Bertram
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““prophecy directed at the past, the yearning for ancestors projected into the future – that is Nietzsche's divine feeling of humanity. the mature individual who, conscious of of his responsability, shoulders the entire burden of human tradition, who is the highest point in the arch of the bridge spanning what was and what will be, the divine moment "on the high pass" – like Zarathustra "between two oceans, traveling between the past and the future like a heavy cloud" – that is Nietzsche's man of the future humanity. the poet is, in his view, the creator of the past, the founder of "all that remains". the philosopher, however, and the sage are preachers and seekers of the future: "whoever has became wise reflecting on old origins" Zarathustra says "will eventually look for sources of the future and for new origins". to redeem the Past by interpreting it affirmatively as the cradle of the Future. to work at constructing the future by building a vaulted crypt that will provide a permanent sanctuary for the powers of belief throught centuries – with that, the grand fusion takes place that merges Nietzsche's early "philological" ideals and the Dionysian ecstatic dream of Zarathustra's demanding Will.””

Ernst Bertram

About This Quote

Source Book: Nietzsche and the Future, Ernst Bertram, 1930

Nietzsche sees humanity as a bridge linking past and future, urging responsibility to reinterpret tradition positively and shape what comes next.

In simple terms: Humanity must honor its past while building a hopeful future.

Key Takeaway

Embrace responsibility for cultural legacy.

Themes

responsibility tradition future philosophy

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • cultural analysis
  • personal development
  • historical research
  • creative writing
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

Nietzschean thought Zarathustra philology Dionysianism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we reinterpret history to inspire progress?
  • What responsibilities do we bear for cultural heritage?
A Different Perspective

The past may limit imagination if interpreted rigidly.

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