Book Two: A Criticism of the Highest Values That Have Prevailed Hitherto
II: Criticism of Morality§276 The whole of the morality of Europe is based upon the values which are useful to the herd — The sorrow of all higher and exceptional men is explained by the fact that everything which distinguishes them from others reaches their consciousness in the form of a feeling of their own smallness and egregiousness. It is the virtues of modern men which are the causes of pessimistic gloominess; the mediocre, like the herd, are not troubled much with questions or with conscience; they are cheerful. (Among the gloomy strong men, Pascal and Schopenhauer are noted examples).
The more dangerous a quality seems to the herd, the more completely it is condemned.