Thread:Su712/@comment-31762568-20170826161602/@comment-25669516-20170904181227

(Okay this will be a long reply. Get comfortable :P)

Nietzsche was a philosopher and writer. He's written some really great books on topics like language, culture, history, religion, morality etc etc. If I remember correctly, the first time I saw this quote was when it appeared at the beginning of this very old PC game called Baldur's Gate.

As for what the quote means, it has several interpretations. Without getting too philosophical or diving into what Nietzsche's thought process was, I have used this in very simple terms. Basically for me it serves as a reminder to keep myself in check. For example, suppose you don't like a person because they are manipulative or cruel or perhaps spread lies and false information about you. So to counter them, you first start by ignoring them or maybe try to fix the mess they make. But there will eventually come a time when these tactics will fail so you will also start complaining about them or talking about them behind their backs or maybe influence people to your side - basically you start acting just like them. Same way someone might feel that their leaders are dictatorial or uncaring or some such and he will go to extreme lengths to fight them. But when that person is given power and authority he will start acting just like the leaders he hates. It is basic human nature - people tend to become the very monsters they set out to fight :P

This is just my interpretation. In terms of Nietzsche's own philosophy it has a very different meaning but I will not get into it here. You are a bit too young for so much deep philosophy ;)