# Chapter 15 explained — The Genealogy of Morals

> Chapter companion for The Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche.

## What happens

Nietzsche critiques the Christian promise of eternal blessedness as rooted in ressentiment and a desire for revenge, arguing that the kingdom of God is a consolation for the weak and that the joy of paradise is inseparable from the spectacle of the damned's suffering, as attested by Thomas Aquinas and Tertullian.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ressentiment and the Revaluation of Values

Nietzsche argues that Christian hope for eternal blessedness is a product of ressentiment, turning weakness into a promise of future revenge.

### Critique of Altruism and Pity Morality

The chapter exposes the hidden cruelty and hate behind Christian love, showing that pity and faith are intertwined with a desire for the damnation of others.

### The Ascetic Ideal and Its Meaning

The ascetic ideal of the Christian paradise is shown to be a compensatory fantasy that derives meaning from the eternal punishment of sinners.

## Character check-ins

### Dante

Mentioned for his inscription over the gate of hell, which Nietzsche contrasts with the hidden hate behind Christian paradise.

### Thomas of Aquinas

Quoted to show that the blessed in heaven will see the punishment of the damned to increase their own bliss.

### the Jews

Referenced in Tertullian's description of Jesus as a Sabbath destroyer and Samaritan, highlighting the polemic against Jews.

### Jesus of Nazareth

Mentioned in Tertullian's account as the one betrayed, beaten, and mocked, whose resurrection is doubted.

## Key lines

> Beati in regno celesti videbunt poenas damnatorum, ut beatitudo illis magis complaceat.

The blessed in the heavenly kingdom will see the punishments of the damned so that their own bliss may be more pleasing to them.

_Nietzsche uses Aquinas to show that Christian joy is enhanced by the spectacle of others' suffering._

> Me too made eternal love

I too was created by eternal love.

_Nietzsche contrasts Dante's inscription over hell with what he sees as the true inscription over Christian paradise: 'Me too made eternal hate.'_

> Per fidem

Through faith.

_Tertullian concludes that these visions of judgment are already possessed through faith, underscoring the role of belief in imagining revenge._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters/15
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_genealogy_of_morals_se/chapters