Book Two: A Criticism of the Highest Values That Have Prevailed Hitherto
V: The Moral Ideal§348 Course of the struggle: the fighter tries to transform his opponent into the exact opposite of himself — imaginatively, of course. He tries to believe in himself to such an extent that he may have the courage necessary for the “good cause” (as if he were the good cause); as if reason, taste and virtue were being assailed by his opponents —
The belief of which he is most in need, as the strongest means of defense and attack, is the belief in himself, which, however, knows how to misinterpret itself as a belief in God. He never pictures the advantages and the uses of victory, but only understands victory for the sake of victory for God’s sake. Every small community (or individual), finding itself involved in a struggle, strives to convince itself of this: “Good taste, good judgment and virtue are ours”. War urges people to this exaggerated self-esteem —