What does not kill me, makes me stronger.
Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, 1888
German philosopher (1844 - 1900)
I have seen this Nietzsche quote used in many fashions, from fitness to debt. It is a motivational quote that can also be used as a strategy. The lesson that I see in this is that you can do more than what you are currently doing. Your capacity can be expanded. Your goals can be met. If it does not kill you it will only make you stronger.
Taken to the extreme can hamper your ability to survive. But if interpreted correctly this idea will allow you to go beyond what you feel are your limitations. You can grow as a person by pushing yourself. You can realize your full potential by going full steam ahead.
I was first introduced to this concept while working out. I was told that if it doesn’t kill you, it will make you stronger. I did not fully understand the phrase at the time and shrugged it off. When running extra suicides and doing only declines on bench, I thought I was reaching my limit and killing myself. The results however would beg to differ.
The most recent context I had seen this quote used in was debt. I am a firm believer in staying above water and not over extending. That is what “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” and “The Millionaire Next Door” teach. The inverse of the ideas taught in those books is that if it doesn’t kill you it will only make you stronger (The books talk about over extending your lifestyle while I am talking about investments). Maybe I could expand my debt a bit and become stronger. (What is the alternative, death?)… If I did over extend myself, I would bust my ass and hustle to get the debt payed off, no matter what it took. Whereas if I didn’t over extend myself, I would not become stronger. So maybe I could do a bit more, right?
I am not one hundred percent sold on this philosophy yet. But I understand the value in it much more now.
For those that might feel that Nietzsche stole this idea from the Kanye West song “Stronger,” I would like to point out that Nietzsche has been around for a bit longer. I am not the biggest Kanye fan but some people are and I try to avoid hate.
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February 1st, 2008 at 6:48 am
Yeah i’ve used that in the gym too! (or atleast I used to when I used to go).
nice layout & design.
February 5th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Nietzsche stole from Kanye? HaHa!
Unless Kanye is 150 Years old and actually GRADUATED from college, then that has to be the stupidest thing I’ve heard.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Was definitely going with the sarcasm there. Some people think all this new rap is original material. I always here things about how Kanye, this and that.