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'An aphorism, properly stamped and molded, has not been "deciphered" when it has simply been read; rather one has then to begin its interpretation, for which is required an art of interpretation.' -- Nietzsche, 'On the Genealogy of Morals'
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'An aphorism, properly stamped and molded, has not been "deciphered" when it has simply been read; rather one has then to begin its interpretation, for which is required an art of interpretation.' -- Nietzsche, 'On the Genealogy of Morals'

On Nietzsche:#6 « Previous | |Next »
January 1, 2004

Chapter 4 of Part One of Bataille's On Nietzsche consists of a series of quotes from Nietzsche's Will to Power. This is not unexpected since Part One is about Mr. Nietzsche, Batailles' companion, who speaks directly to his heart.

In this chapter the concerns are best expressed by par. 990, Bk 4 in The Will to Power. (Only Bk 1 & 3 are online). In this paragraph Nietzsche says:


"I forgot to say that such philosophers [Nietzsche's new sovereign philosopher] are cheerful and that they like to sit in the abyss below a perfectrly clear sky: they need different means from other men for enduring life; for they suffer differently (namely, as much from the profundity of their contempt for man as from their love for man).---The most suffering animal on earth invented for itself ---laughter."

Such philosophers, who teach estrangement in every sense, are still strangers to one another. They are homelesss, live as hermits and put on masks. They live alone and suffer the tormets of all seven solitudes. (para 989).


Bataille's series of quotes in Chapter 4 of his On Nietzsche start by referring to the gay, cheerful sovereign spirit who have taken refugee in happines being heavily protected and fortfied against attack. This light heartedness is necessary for those who sit by the abyss, whose hell and darkness are to near and who knows something that we dread. It is a mask; a mocking one that loves necessity and unlearns fear.

What is displaced in these quotes is Nietzsche's idea of sovereignty as the noble one, the great legislator, the sage. This is new type of philosopher who teaches eternal recurrence, overcomes everything Christian, uses his philosophical hammer to ensure that the old modes of thought perish, and endures eternal recurrence though the revaluation of all values.

What Bataille longs for is community. It is the big lack when you are homeless and suffer the seven solitudes.

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| Posted by Gary Sauer-Thompson at 5:43 PM | | Comments (0)
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