When Nietzsche Wept: A Novel Of Obsession

by Irvin D. Yalom

Too much authority, too many prestigious opinions and conclusions oppress one’s own imaginative synthetic powers. For much the same reason, I prefer to read a play before seeing it performed and certainly before reading reviews.

The joy of being observed ran so deep that Breuer believed the real pain of old age, bereavement, outliving one’s friends, was the absence of scrutiny—the horror of living an unobserved life.

My illness belongs to the domain of my body, but it is not me. I am my illness and my body, but they are not me. Both must be overcome, if not physically, then metaphysically.

“What is the seal of liberation?—No longer being ashamed in front of oneself!”

“An excellent report, Doctor Breuer, comprehensive and comprehensible. And unlike many of my other reports, it contains no professional jargon, which, though offering the illusion of knowledge, is in reality the language of ignorance.

After twenty years of such wondering, I now believe that fears are not born of darkness; rather, fears are like the stars—always there, but obscured by the glare of daylight.

I have known many who dislike themselves and try to rectify this by first persuading others to think well of them. Once that is done, then they begin to think well of themselves. But this is a false solution, this is submission to the authority of others. Your task is to accept yourself—not to find ways to gain my acceptance.”

“The problem is, Josef, that whenever we abandon rationality and use lower faculties to influence men, we end up with a lower and cheaper man. When you say you want something that works, you mean you want something that can influence emotions. Well, there are experts in that! And who are they? The priests!

He feels no anger! Is he so afraid someone will hurt him? Is this why he does not dare to be himself? Why he desires only small happinesses? And he calls this virtue. Its real name is cowardice! He is civilized, polite, a man of manners. He has tamed his wild nature, turned his wolf into a spaniel. And he calls this moderation. Its real name is mediocrity!

“The most desirable woman is the most frightening one. And not, of course, because of what she is, but because of what we make of her. Very sad!”

I hate others who rob me of my solitude and yet do not truly offer me company.”

I have believed that life is a spark between two identical voids, the darkness before birth and the one after death.” “Life—a spark between two voids. A nice image, Josef. And isn’t it strange how we are so preoccupied with the second void and never think upon the first?”

we must live as though we were free. Even though we can’t escape fate, we must still butt our heads against it—we must will our destiny to happen. We must love our fate.