# Chapter 35 explained — Beyond Good and Evil

> Chapter companion for Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche.

## What happens

A brief, sharp critique of a sentimental and utilitarian approach to truth-seeking, as exemplified by Voltaire, arguing that such a humane and morally motivated search is doomed to fail.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Traditional Philosophy

Attacks a foundational motive of Enlightenment philosophy: seeking truth for moral utility ('to do good'), framing it as a naive and fruitless endeavor.

### Will to Power

Implied critique of a 'slavish' or weak approach to truth that is subordinated to moral comfort and human welfare, contrasting with a more ruthless, life-affirming will to knowledge.

## Character check-ins

### Voltaire

Explicitly named as the archetype of a humane, morally-driven ('for the good') seeker of truth, which the narrator condemns as foolish.

### The Narrator

Delivers the scathing critique, mocking the 'humanity' and 'idiocy' of seeking truth primarily to do good, and wagers that such an approach finds nothing.

## Key lines

> O Voltaire! O humanity! O idiocy!

The narrator exclaims in exasperation at Voltaire and the sentimental, humanitarian ideal he represents, calling it foolish.

_Sets a tone of contempt and mockery for the Enlightenment project._

> " il ne cherche le vrai que pour faire le bien "

"He seeks the truth only to do good."

_The narrator quotes (or characterizes) the Voltairean motive, presenting it as the core flaw of a certain philosophical approach._

> I wager he finds nothing!

I bet he discovers nothing!

_The narrator's conclusive judgment that a morally-driven search for truth is fundamentally unsuccessful._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se/chapters/35
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beyond_good_and_evil_se/chapters