The greatest events and thoughts - the greatest thoughts, however, are the greatest events - are longest in being comprehended: the generations which are contemporary with them do not experience such events - they live past them. Something happens there as in the realm of stars. The light of the furthest stars is longest in reaching man; and before it has arrived man denies - that there are stars there. "How many centuries does a mind require to be understood?" - that is also a standard, one also makes a gradation of rank and an etiquette therewith, such as is necessary for mind and for star.

Friedrich Nietzsche, in 'Beyond Good and Evil'

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