Book Two: A Criticism of the Highest Values That Have Prevailed Hitherto
II: Criticism of Morality§283 The hatred directed against the privileged in body and spirit: the revolt of the ugly and bungled souls against the beautiful, the proud and the cheerful. The weapons used: contempt of beauty, of pride, of happiness: “There is no such thing as merit”, “The danger is enormous: it is right that one should tremble and feel ill at ease”, Naturalness is evil; it is right to oppose all that is natural, even “reason” (all that is anti-natural is elevated to the highest place).
It is again the priests who exploit this condition and who win the “people” over to themselves. “The sinner” over whom there is more joy in heaven than over “the just person”. This is the struggle against “paganism” (the pang of conscience, a measure for disturbing the harmony of the soul). The hatred of the mediocre for the exceptions and of the herd for its independent members. (Custom actually regarded as “morality”).
The revulsion of feeling against “egotism”: that only is worth anything which is done “for another”. “We are all equal” versus the love of dominion, against “dominion” in general; against privilege; against sectarians, free-spirits and sceptics; against philosophy (a force opposing mechanical and automatic instincts); in philosophers themselves “the categorical imperative”, the essential nature of morality, “general and universal”.