Though nihilism has been relentlessly criticized for overemphasizing the dark side of human experience, it might be equally true that this overemphasis represents a needed counterbalance to shallow optimism and arrogant confidence in human power. Nihilism reminds us that we are not gods, and that despite all of the accomplishments and wonders of civilization, humans cannot alter the fact that they Though nihilism has been relentlessly criticized for overemphasizing the dark side of human experience, it might be equally true that this overemphasis represents a needed counterbalance to shallow optimism and arrogant confidence in human power. Nihilism reminds us that we are not gods, and that despite all of the accomplishments and wonders of civilization, humans cannot alter the fact that they possess only a finite amount of mastery and control over their own destinies.
- John Marmysz (Laughing at Nothing)
7
Existence is random. Has no pattern save what we imagine after staring at it for too long. No meaning save what we choose to impose. This rudderless world is not shaped by vague metaphysical forces. It is not God who kills the children. Not fate that butchers them or destiny that feeds them to the dogs. It’s us. Only us.
- Rorschach (The Watchmen (Graphic Novel))
38
Children starve while boots costing many thousands of dollars leave their mark upon the surface of the moon. We have labored long to build a heaven, only to find it populated with horrors.
- Dr. Manhattan (The Watchmen (Graphic Novel))
10
228. THE STRONG, GOOD CHARACTER - The restriction of views, which habit has made instinct, leads to what is called strength of character. When any one acts from few but always from the same motives, his actions acquire great energy; if these actions accord with the principles of the fettered spirits they are recognised, and they produce, moreover, in those who perform them the sensation of a good conscience. Few motives, energetic action, and a good conscience compose what is called strength of character. The man of strong character lacks a knowledge of the many possibilities and directions of action; his intellect is fettered and restricted, because in a given case it shows him, perhaps, only two possibilities; between these two he must now of necessity choose, in accordance with his whole nature, and he does this easily and quickly because he has not to choose between fifty possibilities. The educating surroundings aim at fettering every individual, by always placing before him the smallest number of possibilities. The individual is always treated by his educators as if he were, indeed, something new, but should become a duplicate. If he makes his first appearance as something unknown, unprecedented, he must be turned into something known and precedented. In a child, the familiar manifestation of restriction is called a good character; in placing itself on the side of the fettered spirits the child first discloses it’s awakening common feeling; with this foundation of common sentiment, he will eventually become useful to his State or rank.
- Friedrich Nietzsche (Human, All Too Human)
345. AN ILLUSION OF SUPERIOR MINDS - Superior minds find it difficult to free themselves from an illusion; for they imagine that they excite envy among the mediocre and are looked upon as exceptions. As a matter of fact, however, they are looked upon as superfluous, as something that would not be missed if it did not exist.
- Friedrich Nietzsche (The Wanderer and His Shadow)
4
343. BEING VERY CLEVER - Being very clever keeps men young, but they must put up with being considered, for that very reason, older than they are. For men read the handwriting of the intellect as signs of experience — that is, of having lived much and evilly, of suffering, error, and repentance. Hence, if we are very clever and show it, we appear to them older and wickeder than we are.
- Friedrich Nietzsche (The Wanderer and His Shadow)
7
342. DISTURBANCES OF THE THINKER - All that interrupts the thinker in his thoughts (disturbs him, as people say) must be regarded by him calmly, as a new model who comes in by the door to offer himself to the artist. Interruptions are the ravens which bring food to the recluse.
- Friedrich Nietzsche (The Wanderer And His Shadow)
17
the best often die by their own hand
just to get away,
and those left behind
can never quite understand
why anybody
would ever want to
get away
from
them
- Charles Bukoswki (Cause and Effect)
13
Do you know the legend of Hercules and Antaeus, the giant wrestler, whose strength was incredible so long as he stood firmly on the earth? But when he was held rootless, in midair, by Hercules, he perished easily. If there isn’t something in that legend for us today, in this city, in our time, then I am completely insane.
- Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451)
9
dear question mark,
i fell in love—once.
and it was big. and blue. and beautiful.
until reaper, brandishing scythe of knowledge,
whispered.
of bigger. and black. and boundless.
a secret. a whisper.
that slithered, callously, to my core.
and paled it exponentially.
and now i’m not in love.
just bitter.
struggling to learn something innate—
how to fall in love.
what was big. and blue. and beautiful.
is now a question mark.
15
The fish taken out of the sea
is not without a consolation:
his dying is of brief duration
and ultimately brings relief.
…
…
The more I live the more I die.
- Saint John of the Cross
9
All Of Area Man's Hard Work Finally Pays Off For Employer
This is an article by the Onion, a satirical news source. This article is humorous and saddening at the same time because it underlines the effects of capitalism on the work force. Yuck.
12
Admit It.
first i am taught to believe in santa claus, a man who sneaks into homes and leaves presents every december. he is unrealistic, but i believe you. i have a million questions and you answer them all. you tell me about the lists—naughty and nice. excite me about the gifts and warn me about the coal. you watch me scribe my christmas lists and put them in the mail.
and later i am told that he is not real.
you console me, and apologize. for the time i’ve wasted—hoping on something done by human hands. and i forgive you.
then i am taught to believe in jesus, an even more unrealistic man, who walks on water and makes gifts of miracles. i have a million questions and you can’t answer them all. you tell me about the lists—bad and good. excite me about heaven and warn me about hell. you tell me to scribe my hopes and read them aloud in prayer.
and later i am told that he is not real.
but you won’t console me. you won’t apologize. for the time i’ve wasted—hoping on something done by human hands—waiting instead of acting.
i thirst for the reality you stole from me, with your lies—your fear-crafted deceit. and i won’t forgive you until i’m sated.
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