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Philosopher Quote by Friedrich Nietzsche

“Their [philosophers] thinking is, in fact, far less a discovery than a re-recognizing, a remembering, a return and a home-coming to a far-off, ancient common-household of the soul, out of which those ideas formerly grew: philosophizing is so far a kind of atavism of the highest order.” quote by Friedrich Nietzsche
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““Their [philosophers] thinking is, in fact, far less a discovery than a re-recognizing, a remembering, a return and a home-coming to a far-off, ancient common-household of the soul, out of which those ideas formerly grew: philosophizing is so far a kind of atavism of the highest order.””

Friedrich Nietzsche

About This Quote

Source Book: Beyond Good and Evil, 1886

Philosophizing is portrayed as a nostalgic return to ancient, shared wisdom, more about recalling forgotten truths than discovering new ones.

In simple terms: Philosophy is recalling ancient communal truths.

Key Takeaway

Seek timeless wisdom in modern thought.

Themes

philosophy history nostalgia

Mood

reflective introspective

Type

theoretical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • academic lectures
  • personal reflection
  • creative writing
  • cultural analysis

Key Concepts

atavism collective memory re‑recognition

Questions to Reflect On

  • What ancient ideas still resonate today?
  • How can we balance rediscovery with new insight?
A Different Perspective

Risk of idealizing the past over innovation.

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