Just as little as a reader today reads all of the individual words (let alone syllables) on a page–rather he picks about five words at random out of twenty and "guesses" at the meaning that probably belongs to these five words–just as little do we see a tree exactly and completely with reference to leaves, twigs, color, and form; it is so very much easier for us to simply improvise some approximation of a tree. Even in the midst of the strangest experiences we will still do the same: we make up the major part of the experience and can scarcely be forced not to contemplate some event as its "inventors." All this means: basically and from time immemorial we are–accustomed to lying. Or to put it more virtuously and hypocritically, in short, more pleasantly: one is much more of an artist than one knows. Friedrich Nietzsche
About This Quote

The greatest pleasure in life is the conviction of knowing that you are fully alive, of being truly yourself. The danger lies in the fact that one is not aware of this fact. To be conscious of oneself is difficult—and at times more dangerous than to be unconscious.

Source: Beyond Good And Evil

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More Quotes By Friedrich Nietzsche
  1. It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.
  2. There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.
  3. The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends.
  4. One ought to hold on to one's heart; for if one lets it go, one soon loses control of the head too.
  5. Amor Fati — “Love Your Fate”, which is in fact your life.
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