Friedrich_Nietzsche - Untimely_Meditations_(Cambridge_Texts_in_the_History_of_Philosophy__1997)

On the uses and disadvantages of history for lifewill not be thought to lie in its general propositions, as if these werethe flower and fruit of the whole endeavour, but that its value will beseen to consist in its taking a familiar, perhaps commonplace theme,an everyday melody, and composing inspired variations on it,enhancing it, elevating it to a comprehensive symbol; and thus disclosing in the original theme a whole world of profundity, powerand beauty.For this, however, there is required above all great artistic facility,creative vision, loving absorption in the empirical data, the capacityto imagine the further development of a given type - in any event,objectivity is required, but as a positive quality. So often objectivity isonly a phrase. Instead of the outwardly tranquil but inwardly flashingeye of the artist there is the affectation of tranquillity; just as a lack offeeling and moral strength is accustomed to disguise itself as incisivecoldness and detachment. In certain cases banality of ideas, theeveryday wisdom which seems calm and tranquil only because it istedious, ventures to pose as that artistic condition in which the subjectbecomes silent and wholly imperceptible. What is then preferred isthat which produces no emotion at all and the driest phrase is theright phrase. One goes so far, indeed, as to believe that he to whom amoment of the past means nothing at all is the proper man to describeit. This is frequently the relationship between classicists and theGreeks they study: . they mean nothing to one another - a state ofaffairs called 'objectivity'! It is precisely where the highest and rarestis to be represented that this ostentatious indifference becomes mostinfuriating - fo r it is the vanity of the historian which is responsiblefo r it. Such authors incline one to agree with the proposition that aman possesses vanity to the degree that he lacks understanding. No,at any rate be honest! Do not seek the appearance of justice if you arenot called to the dreadful vocation of the just man. As though it werethe task of every age to have to be just towards everything that hasever existed! It could even be said that ages and generations never dohave the · right to judge previous ages and generations: such anuncomfortable mission falls only to individuals, and these of therarest kind. Who compels you to judge? And, moreover test yourselfto see whether you could be just if you wanted to be! As judge,you must stand higher than he who is to be judged; whereas all youare is subsequent to him. The guests who come last to table have tobe content with the last places: and do you want the first? Then atleast perform some high and great deed; perhaps then they reallywill make room for you, even if you do come last.93