“It is good to express a thing twice right at the outset and so to give it a right foot and also a left one. Truth can surely stand on one leg, but with two it will be able to walk and get around.”
- October 15, 1844 – August 25, 1900
- Born in Germany
- Philosopher, poet, and classical philologist
- With works such as “Thus Spoke Zarathustra,” “Beyond Good and Evil,” and “The Genealogy of Morals,” he questioned traditional morality, religion, and truth, and had a major impact on modern philosophy.
Quote
“It is good to express a thing twice right at the outset and so to give it a right foot and also a left one. Truth can surely stand on one leg, but with two it will be able to walk and get around.”
Explanation
In this quote, Friedrich Nietzsche highlights the importance of clarity and completeness when expressing a truth or an idea. Nietzsche suggests that presenting something from multiple angles, or repeating it in different ways, helps to solidify and strengthen its impact. By giving truth both a “right foot” and a “left foot,” it gains balance, making it more capable of standing and moving forward—or, in this case, becoming more persuasive and effective. Nietzsche implies that a single expression of truth, while valid, can be weak or incomplete. But when it is presented in a fuller, more comprehensive manner—emphasizing different perspectives or reinforcing the idea—it becomes more robust, resilient, and capable of moving through the complexities of life and human understanding.
Historically, Nietzsche often criticized oversimplifications and one-dimensional thinking, particularly in philosophy and morality. He believed that truths are rarely simple and should be expressed in ways that account for the complexity of human experience. By repeating or framing truths in different ways, we give them the opportunity to be better understood and more impactful. Nietzsche’s approach here reflects his belief in the multifaceted nature of reality and truth, where things must be approached with depth and multiplicity to be truly grasped.
In modern contexts, this quote can be applied to how we communicate ideas and truths in everyday life, in academic settings, or in our personal relationships. It suggests that clarity and depth are key to effective communication, especially when dealing with complex issues. By expressing an idea more than once, or presenting it from different perspectives, we ensure that it is more understood, accepted, and engaged with by others. Nietzsche’s words encourage us to embrace the complexity of our thoughts and ideas, and to take the time to express them in ways that allow others to fully understand and connect with them.
