Macmillan

" while
Finally,let
of
that,
is
BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL i""
positiontowards those who are "the rules." After all țhey
in have more to do than merely to "
perceive:
effect,they
have to be something new, they have to signifysomething
new, they have to represent new values! The gulfbetween
knowledge and capacityis perhaps greater,and also more
mysterious țhan one thinks: the capable man in the grand
style țhe creator, will possiblyhave to be an ignorant person;
on the other hand, for scientificdiscoveries like
those of Darwin, a certain narrowness, aridity,and industrious
carefulness (in short something English) may not
be imfavourable for arrivingat them. "
it not be
forgottenthat the English,with their profound mediocrity,
brought about once before a generaldepressionof European
intelligence. What is called "modern ideas,"or "the ideas of
the eighteenthcentury," or "French ideas" "
"
profovmd disgust is
consequently,
against which the German mind rose up with
of English origin țhere is no doubt
about it. The French were only the apes and actors of these
ideas,their best
soldiers, and
likewise,alas! their first and
profoundestvictims;for owing to the diabolical Anglomania
of "modem ideas,"the dme jranqaishas in the end become
so thin and emaciated țhat at present one recalls its sixteenth
and seventeenth centuries,its profound,passionatestrength,
its inventive excellency,almost with disbelief. One must,
however, maintain this verdict of historical justicein a determine
manner, and defend it againstpresent prejudices
and appearances: the European noblesse "
sentiment,taste,
and manners, taking the word in every high sense
"
the
work and invention of France; the European ignobleness,
the plebeianismof modem ideas "
is
England'swork and invention