Laughing Ourselves To Death
The madman—
Have you not heard of that madman
Who lit a lantern in the bright morning hours,
ran to the market place,
and cried incessantly: “I seek God! I seek God!”
–As many of those
who did not believe in God were standing around just then,
he provoked much laughter.
Has he got lost? asked one.
Did he lose his way like a child? asked another.
Or is he hiding?
Is he afraid of us?
Has he gone on a voyage?
emigrated?
–Thus they yelled and laughed…
–excerpt The Gay Science, Book 3, Section 125 by Friedrich Nietzsche
This is the most famous passage of Nietzsche’s book, arguably the pivot point of his entire philosophy. To read Nietzsche’s parable of the madman in its entirety : CLICK HERE.
