Book Two: A Criticism of the Highest Values That Have Prevailed Hitherto
II: Criticism of Morality§279 A criticism of the virtues of the herd. Inertia is active: (1) In confidence, because mistrust makes suspense, reflection and observation necessary. (2) In veneration, where the gulf that separates power is great and submission necessary: then, so that fear may cease to exist, everybody tries to love and esteem, while the difference in power is interpreted as a difference of value: and thus the relationship to the powerful no longer has anything revolting in it. (3) In the sense of truth. What is truth? Truth is that explanation of things which causes us the smallest amount of mental exertion (apart from this, lying is extremely fatiguing). (4) In sympathy. It is a relief to know one’s self on the same level with all, to feel as all feel and to accept a belief which is already current; it is something passive beside the activity which appropriates and continually carries into practice the most individual rights of valuation (the latter process allows of no repose). (5) In impartiality and coolness of judgment: people scout the strain of being moved and prefer to be detached and “objective”. (6) In uprightness: people prefer to obey a law which is to hand rather than to create a new one, rather than to command themselves and others: the fear of commanding it is better to submit than to rebel. (7) In toleration: the fear of exercising a right or of enforcing a judgment.