“The best author will be the one who is ashamed to become a writer.”
- 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
“The best author will be the one who is ashamed to become a writer.”
Explanation
In this quote, Friedrich Nietzsche suggests that the most authentic or profound writers are those who do not write out of a desire for fame, recognition, or self-promotion, but out of a deeper sense of reluctance or humility. The writer who is “ashamed” to become a writer is one who recognizes the weight of their responsibility and the potential arrogance of putting their thoughts and ideas into the public sphere. Nietzsche’s statement implies that true creativity and authenticity in writing come from a place of self-awareness—a recognition that writing is not a pursuit of self-glorification but an effort to communicate something of greater value or truth. The best authors, in Nietzsche’s view, are those who understand the dangers and complications of writing and feel a sense of responsibility rather than a self-serving desire to be heard or admired.
Historically, Nietzsche often critiqued ego-driven actions and self-promotion, particularly within the context of intellectual or artistic endeavors. He believed that true greatness in any field—whether in writing, philosophy, or art—required a humble engagement with the work itself, rather than a focus on personal accolades. For Nietzsche, the most authentic individuals were those who acted out of a love for the craft and a desire to communicate, rather than for personal gain or recognition. The writer who is ashamed may be, in a sense, the one who most deeply understands the limitations of writing and its potential for misinterpretation or manipulation, and thus approaches it with caution and integrity.
In modern contexts, this quote challenges the contemporary focus on celebrity culture and the commercialization of writing. In an era where authors may be encouraged to brand themselves or self-promote through social media, Nietzsche’s words remind us that authenticity in writing can be compromised by the desire for external validation. The best writers, according to Nietzsche, are those who are driven by internal motivation—a desire to create and communicate rather than to gain approval or achieve success. This perspective encourages us to focus on the quality and integrity of our work, rather than the external rewards that may accompany it.
