“Genteel women suppose that those things do not really exist about which it is impossible to talk in polite company.”
- 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
“Genteel women suppose that those things do not really exist about which it is impossible to talk in polite company.”
Explanation
In this quote, Friedrich Nietzsche critiques the social conventions that exist within certain circles, particularly regarding the topics deemed inappropriate for polite conversation. Nietzsche suggests that “genteel” or refined women—who are often expected to adhere to social norms of decorum and propriety—tend to deny or ignore the existence of topics that are considered taboo or unseemly to discuss in public. These subjects, which may include sex, death, or suffering, are repressed in polite society, and by refusing to acknowledge them, these women, according to Nietzsche, are denying the reality of those aspects of human existence. Nietzsche’s statement points to the artificiality of social norms that dictate what can and cannot be discussed, and how this denial of uncomfortable truths can lead to an incomplete understanding of life itself.
Historically, Nietzsche often critiqued societal repression and the way in which morality, especially as enforced by religious or cultural institutions, led people to ignore or suppress essential parts of life. For Nietzsche, true wisdom and authenticity come from embracing all aspects of existence, including the uncomfortable or controversial topics that polite society tends to overlook. He believed that repressing these truths only led to a distorted and shallow understanding of life, preventing individuals from fully engaging with reality.
In modern contexts, this quote can be applied to how contemporary society often avoids or represses difficult subjects such as mental health, politics, or sexuality—topics that can be seen as inappropriate for casual or polite conversation. Nietzsche’s words remind us that avoiding these uncomfortable truths does not make them disappear; rather, it prevents us from fully understanding the complexities of human existence. His critique calls for more open discussions and acknowledgment of the parts of life that society often seeks to ignore, encouraging us to embrace the full range of human experience rather than denying or repressing aspects of it that make us uncomfortable.
