The Gay Science 296

Society dominated by the herd instinct desires enduring characters whom they can rely on ie they are unchanging and therefore permanent and predictable as an instrument. This brings all re-learning and self-transformation into disrepute. However great these advantages may be in other areas of life, with knowledge it would be disastrous. We must be prepared to turn on previous opinions and mistrust everything that wishes to become permanent. To do this means to resist the pressure of society which favours the permanent.