A good friend of mine and I like to talk about late 1800s philosophers, including Friedrich Nietzsche. He is much more educated than I am on the subject, and recommended that I expand my knowledge and read some related books (i.e. it is good to read things beyond computing and science); LOL. So I’m reading the Basic Writings of Friedrich Nietzsche. Friedrich Nietzsche, one of the greatest philosophers, was extremely bright. Very much on the edge (of insanity), he argued extreme topics including religion. Some people won’t touch such literature. But I am a believer that we should be open minded, and read others work, and think and understand, intelligently, without biases or being defensive; your own interpretation of things. Then accept or reject.

There are some interesting quotes from Friedrich Nietzsche, three found below of great interest and truth. All independently written by Nietzsche, but as you can see, all flow together:

The visionary lies to himself, the liar only to others.
   Friedrich Nietzsche

The result is that:

A thinker sees his own actions as experiments and questions–as attempts to find out something. Success and failure are for him answers above all.
   Friedrich Nietzsche, The Gay Science

To the point of:

What does not kill me, makes me stronger.
   Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, 1888

Liars are easy to explain. Liars lie to others, so to reach their goals. Liars know they are lying – it is pure intentional deceit.

Visionaries lie to themselves. Visionaries grow to believe in something; a better world, an utopia, or better ways to accomplish something, even changing the world. And on ways to accomplish these visions. Even if accomplishing these is next to impossible or against all odds. To the point of “lying” to themselves and ignoring truths so they can accomplish such visions or goals. To the point of being foolish enough to follow the dreams, the visions. These are not true lies, but true believes.

A thinker is a risk taker. Some risks pay off, others don’t. A thinker might take risks with great potential payoff, but may lose the bet at the end. But that person is not a loser, not at all. I actually want that person on my side. Because if taking such risks didn’t kill him, a much stronger and wiser person has become.

Related to this see the recent article titled Nietzsche and his Nazi sister (Times Online).

ceo

(3/22/08: Fixed a bunch of typos; sorry for my imperfect English)