Books Quote by Friedrich Nietzsche
““381 On the question of being understandable.— One does not only wish to be understood when one writes; one wishes just as surely not to be understood. It is not by any means necessarily an objection to a book when anyone finds it impossible to understand: perhaps that was part of the author’s intention—he did not want to be understood by just “anybody.” All the nobler spirits and tastes select their audience when they wish to communicate; and choosing that, one at the same time erects barriers against “the others.” All the more subtle laws of any style have their origin at this point: they at the same time keep away, create a distance, forbid “entrance,” understanding, as said above—while they open the ears of those whose ears are related to ours.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Beyond Good and Evil, Friedrich Nietzsche, 1886
Nietzsche argues that some writers deliberately craft obscure works to filter their audience, creating a barrier that only like minds can cross.
In simple terms: Writers may write to be misunderstood to select a specific audience.
Key Takeaway
Embrace purposeful complexity to attract the right readers.
Themes
elitism
communication
audience selection
literary style
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- academic analysis
- literary criticism
- creative writing workshops
- philosophical discussions
Key Concepts
existentialism
intentional obscurity
audience curation
Questions to Reflect On
- What audience do you wish to reach?
- How does intentional ambiguity affect comprehension?
A Different Perspective
Obscurity can alienate potential readers and limit impact.
