Sympathy#
Summary#
Nietzsche distinguishes between two forms of sympathy: the common sympathy for social distress and suffering, which he views as a sickly, effeminizing cult that pampers weakness, and a “loftier” sympathy that laments how humanity dwarfs itself through such softness. True sympathy, he argues, has value only when it comes from a natural master, not from those who suffer or preach suffering. He positions his “reverse sympathy” against conventional compassion, seeing the discipline of great suffering as essential for human elevation.