"Not necessity, not desire - no, the love of power is the demon of men. Let them have everything - health, food, a place to live, entertainment - they are and remain unhappy and low-spirited: for the demon waits and waits and will be satisfied"
- Friedrich Nietzsche
About this Quote
Friedrich Nietzsche's quote looks into the complex nature of human motivation and frustration. At its core, the quote suggests that beyond standard needs like health, food, and shelter, people possess an insatiable desire for something more abstract: power. Nietzsche explains this desire as a "demon," an intrinsic and potentially damaging force, hiding within people.
The statement begins by turning down the presumption that need or desire alone drive human actions and satisfaction. Requirement describes basic requirements required for survival, while desire typically suggests personal wants or enthusiasms. Nietzsche argues that even when these requirements and desires are met, humans stay "unhappy and low-spirited." This insight indicate a much deeper mental or existential yearning that exceeds mere survival or enjoyment.
The "love of power" is identified as the real driving force behind human discontent. Power, in this context, is not merely political or economic supremacy but incorporates a broader sense of control, influence, and proficiency over oneself and one's environment. Nietzsche's idea of power aligns with his philosophical concept of the "will to power," which transcends physical or material fulfillment and rather embodies a basic underpinning of life and growth.
The metaphorical devil "waits and waits and will be satisfied" suggests a continuous, maybe unquenchable, yearning within individuals. This insidious discontentment implies that human nature is naturally agitated and that satisfaction through power is an evasive pursuit. The insatiability of this demon challenges the adequacy of external solutions like material wealth or comfort in dealing with human unhappiness.
Furthermore, Nietzsche's perspective invites reflection on the human condition, emphasizing the complexity of satisfaction. It poses enduring questions about the sources of true satisfaction and challenges readers to consider just how much of their pursuits are driven by this inherent love of power versus existential significance or genuine self-actualization. In doing so, it paints a picture of humanity that is both interesting and unsettling, prompting introspection into the motives behind our actions and aspirations.