“Every man is a creative cause of what happens, a primum mobile with an original movement.”
- 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
“Every man is a creative cause of what happens, a primum mobile with an original movement.”
Explanation
In this quote, Friedrich Nietzsche emphasizes the concept of the individual as a creative force in the world. He presents each person as an active creator—someone who shapes their own destiny and influences the world around them through their actions and decisions. The term “primum mobile” refers to the idea of a first cause or primary mover—something that sets everything else into motion. Nietzsche extends this idea to the individual, suggesting that each person has an original movement, an innate creativity, or unique influence that drives their life and impacts the broader world. This quote reinforces Nietzsche’s philosophy of self-empowerment and individual agency, where people are not passive recipients of fate, but active participants who create meaning and shape the course of events.
Historically, Nietzsche viewed individuals as self-creating beings who must resist external pressures—whether societal, religious, or cultural—in order to embrace their true potential and create their own values. He rejected the idea that people are governed by external forces or predetermined destinies. Instead, Nietzsche believed that each person has the power to become a “creative cause”—a source of action and movement in their own life, as well as in the world at large. The “original movement” of each individual represents their unique contribution to the world, one that is not defined by others’ expectations or norms, but by their own vision and authenticity.
In modern contexts, this quote serves as a reminder of the power of individual agency and creativity. In a world that often emphasizes conformity and external success, Nietzsche’s words encourage us to recognize our potential to shape our own lives and the world around us. Whether in career, art, relationships, or personal growth, we are all creative causes, capable of forging our own path and making an original impact. Nietzsche’s philosophy invites us to embrace the freedom and responsibility of being a primum mobile, acknowledging that our actions and decisions are the movements that set our lives into motion.
