Contempt Quote by Nietzsche
““That for which we find words is something already dead in our hearts. There is always a kind of contempt in the act of speaking.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Beyond Good and Evil, 1886
Language often tries to capture feelings that have already faded, revealing a contemptuous distance between speech and inner experience.
In simple terms: Words chase dead feelings, showing contempt.
Key Takeaway
Be mindful of speaking from genuine feeling.
Themes
communication
authenticity
emotion
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- writing
- public speaking
- personal reflection
- therapy
Key Concepts
philosophy of language
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you speak to express or to fill silence?
- How does language shape your inner life?
A Different Perspective
Speech can revive or distort emotions, not just reflect them.
![“Every person of any rank in the left, from voter on up to cabinet member to elected official in the Democrat Party, has contempt. We [Republicans] are the number one enemy. And they will put aside whatever differences they have.” quote by Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08a/rush-limbaugh-28_cabinets_every-person-of-any-rank-in-the-left-fro_29974.jpg){kind=icon}