The Antichrist

Friedrich Nietzsche’s preface dedicates The Antichrist to “the most rare of men,” whom he deems may not yet live (14). He himself claims to be one of them and suspects that those who understand his Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spake Zarathustra) might be among them, but admits he cannot name them.

Nietzsche describes these “most rare” individuals as being above the din of politics and nationalism, asking forbidden questions and doing forbidden things to free themselves, rising above the simplicity of humanity. 

Nietzsche addresses his “most rare of men” and himself as “Hyperboreans” denying the power of the “south-winds”—Christian compassion (15). In a footnote, H.L. Mencken identifies the Hyperboreans as a mythical northern people of “unbroken happiness and perpetual youth” (15).

Nietzsche claims that the naturally courageous Hyperboreans have difficulty deciding where to direct their courage—and thus, lack purpose. He believes their philosophies are deemed too fatalistic by ordinary citizens and lesser thinkers.

Nietzsche lists a set of definitions: good is “whatever augments the feeling to power”; evil is “whatever springs from weakness”; and happiness is “the feeling that power increases” (16).

He claims that those who follow weakness are doomed, and those who follow strength should hasten their demise, arguing that the most harmful crime is compassion for the weak.