All chapters

The Genealogy of Morals · Chapter

Chapter 9 explained

A freethinker and democrat responds to Nietzsche's discourse, arguing that the triumph of slave morality through the Jews has been a historical success, and that the Church now serves as a crude obstacle to this progress rather than its poi

What happens

A freethinker and democrat responds to Nietzsche's discourse, arguing that the triumph of slave morality through the Jews has been a historical success, and that the Church now serves as a crude obstacle to this progress rather than its poison. Nietzsche remains silent on the matter.

Themes in this chapter

  • Master Morality vs. Slave Morality

    The freethinker acknowledges the triumph of slave morality through the Jews and the vulgarization of humanity.

  • Ressentiment and the Revaluation of Values

    The Jewish slave revolt in morality is presented as the successful revaluation that overthrew master morality.

Characters to notice

  • the Jews

    Credited with the triumph of slave morality and the vulgarization of humanity.

  • Nietzsche

    The silent recipient of the freethinker's epilogue.

Key passages

  • The ‘masters’ have been done away with; the morality of the vulgar man has triumphed.

    The ruling class has been overthrown, and common people's values now dominate.

    The freethinker asserts the victory of slave morality.

  • The Church certainly is a crude and boorish institution, that is repugnant to an intelligence with any pretence at delicacy, to a really modern taste.

    The Church is a vulgar and clumsy organization that offends refined modern sensibilities.

    Critique of the Church as an obstacle to the progress of vulgarization.