Beyond Good and Evil · Chapter
Chapter 72 explained
A single, aphoristic statement defining greatness not by the intensity of feeling but by its enduring quality.
What happens
A single, aphoristic statement defining greatness not by the intensity of feeling but by its enduring quality.
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
The aphorism provides a criterion for distinguishing 'great men,' implicitly establishing an order of rank based on the sustained quality of one's sentiments rather than momentary passion.
Key passages
“It is not the strength, but the duration of great sentiments that makes great men.”
Greatness in a person is determined not by how powerfully they feel, but by how long-lasting their profound feelings are.
The core definition of the chapter, contrasting fleeting intensity with enduring character.
