The Mother of Morals

Everything that elevates the individual above the herd, and is a source of fear to the neighbour, is henceforth called evil. A lofty and rigorous nobleness and self-responsibility almost offends, and wakens distrust. The lamb, and still more the sheep, wins respect. There is a point of diseased mellowness and effeminacy in the history of society, at which society itself takes the part of him who injures it seriously and honestly. We wish that some time or other there may be nothing more to fear. Some time or other, the will and the way there too is nowadays called progress, all over Europe.