Beyond Good and Evil · Chapter
167 explained
A brief aphorism contrasting the attitudes of vigorous and weak men towards intimacy, framing it as both a source of shame and a precious treasure for the strong.
What happens
A brief aphorism contrasting the attitudes of vigorous and weak men towards intimacy, framing it as both a source of shame and a precious treasure for the strong.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The passage reveals the Wanderer's ultimate psychological exhaustion with seeking truth, climaxing in his desp…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Nobility and Order of Rank
Distinguishes the psychological traits and values ('shame', 'precious') of 'vigorous men' from weaker types, reinforcing an order of rank.
- Psychology as the Fundamental Science
A psychological insight into the complex, contradictory emotional valuation of intimacy by a specific human type.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Delivers the aphoristic observation on the nature of vigorous men.
Key passages
“To vigorous men intimacy is a matter of shame—and something precious.”
For strong, powerful individuals, close personal connection is experienced as both an embarrassing vulnerability and a deeply valued possession.
Highlights the paradoxical, elevated relationship to intimacy characteristic of the noble or vigorous type.
