“Regarding life, the wisest men of all ages have judged alike: it is worthless.”
- 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.
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Quote
“Regarding life, the wisest men of all ages have judged alike: it is worthless.”
Explanation
In this quote, Friedrich Nietzsche reflects on the existential and philosophical stance that life, in its essential nature, is without inherent meaning or value. Nietzsche suggests that throughout history, the wisest thinkers have recognized the absurdity or emptiness of existence when approached through traditional frameworks of meaning, morality, or religious understanding. This judgment does not necessarily suggest that life is to be rejected but rather emphasizes the necessity for individuals to create their own meaning in a world that does not offer it readily. Nietzsche is alluding to the idea that wisdom is often found in the acknowledgment of life’s lack of inherent purpose, and that in embracing this emptiness, one gains the freedom to define and create one’s own values and path in life, rather than depending on externally imposed systems of meaning.
Historically, Nietzsche rejected the idea of a divinely ordained or universal purpose in life, particularly in the face of growing rationalism and the decline of traditional religious systems. For Nietzsche, the recognition of life’s worthlessness—in the sense of lack of inherent meaning—was not a call for despair but a freedom to live authentically and embrace self-overcoming. The absence of predetermined meaning allowed individuals to create and affirm their own values, desires, and existence.
In modern contexts, this quote resonates with the existential and humanist philosophies that explore the absurdity of life, particularly in the absence of external structures like religion or society that once gave life purpose. It speaks to the emptiness that many people may feel in the contemporary world, where traditional sources of meaning are often questioned or rejected. Nietzsche’s perspective encourages us to confront the meaninglessness of existence, not as a negative judgment, but as an invitation to assert our own power, creativity, and freedom. Rather than succumbing to nihilism, this view challenges us to find purpose within ourselves and create a life of authenticity and self-definition.
