Accounts Quote by Friedrich Nietzsche
“That little hypocrites and half-crazed people dare to imagine that on their account the laws of nature are constantly broken; such an enhancement of every kind of selfishness to infinity, to impudence, cannot be branded with sufficient contempt. And yet Christianity owes its triumph to this pitiable flattery of personal vanity.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Beyond Good and Evil, Friedrich Nietzsche, 1886
Nietzsche criticizes those who claim to defy natural law, seeing it as extreme selfishness and vanity, yet notes Christianity thrives on such self‑flattery.
In simple terms: People claim they can break nature’s rules, driven by ego, while religion benefits from that ego.
Key Takeaway
Beware ego‑driven rationalizations that ignore natural limits.
Themes
ego
vanity
religion
philosophy
morality
Mood
critical
skeptical
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
reflective
When to use this quote
- political rhetoric
- personal ambition
- religious discourse
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
Nihilism
self‑interest
critique of religion
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivations lie behind claims of transcending natural limits?
- How does ego shape religious or ideological success?
A Different Perspective
Such claims often ignore practical consequences and can lead to reckless behavior.
