As regards consistency in action: I would suggest that one strives for such consistency because of some sense of honor. It probably gives one the illusion of complete self-control. So in a way, I would agree that it is socially driven.

Despite how paradoxical the human experience can be, I think that one's metaphysics and epistemology should be as airtight and rigorous as possible, perhaps to the point of being almost scientific in nature. Though that's probably just the ultra-analytic American approach to philosophy rubbing off on me.

As for Nietzsche, he just seems like a man whose personal philosophy was diluted by neurosis. I agree with most of what he says, but looking at his work it's clear he was much more concerned with being a brilliant, shocking revolutionary than a rigorous thinker.

Do you consider him a good philosopher? Not just in terms of influence, but in the accuracy of his ideas?

okay, so I went to a play. Didnt go to the store. Bike ride tommorow. Fishing is still up in the air. And the dog poops are multiplying. Other than that not a bad day. Hope yours was groovey.

I would like to start painting again...I am not that good, but I enjoy it. I am thinking about taking my son fishing next week, out on a day boat. We will see. I hope its not hot this weekend. I think I might need to go for a bike ride. I need to remember to pick up some soap at the store. A nice dip in the ocean might be plesant as well. Perhaps I will contine my quest to be polite and respectful to other people. things like that make me :). I also have to remember to pick up the dog poops in the yard. Dang...

Really? I had always seen it quoted as anonymous. Thanks for the info.

another good one, not to old:

" Dont taze me bro'" - Andrew Meyer (University of Florida student)

* it speaks volumes

one of my all time favorites is:

" My paranoia is often the forefunner of an approaching truth" - Charles Bukowski

Actually, Zapata said that whole bit about die on my feet, than live on my knees  See revolution/Mexico.

I don't consider Nietzsche a particularly good philosopher, to be perfectly honest. I used to be a fanboy, but once I realized how inconsistent he was I decided to see him as more of a profoundly gifted writer who could provide useful philosophical insight through fantastic quotes, as opposed to a rigorous thinker. Kind of like Camus, Voltaire, DeSade, etc.

@MNM
You throw together your first three quotes and you arrive at the question; "Is freedom good or evil?" Which is not necessarily to say that I'm a believer. Nietzsche seems like a man who built castles in his mind, saw them shattered by time and felt scorned by life, not just women. Which is not to say that he wasn't both smart and hilarious, that last quote made me laugh.

Here are some good ones:

"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?" --Epicurus

"A democracy cannot be both ignorant and free." --Thomas Jefferson

"'Tis better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." --Anonymous

"A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything." --Nietzsche