"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you." In this statement, Nietzsche is expressing the familiar occurrence of being absorbed by fears, darkness, and even our thoughts. In life, people often find themselves confronted with situations in which they must face certain evils in their life. This quote advises that if you choose to resist these evils, you should take care that you do not become evil yourself. The second part of the quote explains how this is possible. The abyss gazing back at you means that when you begin to know something that is in essences different than yourself, you take a part of it with you and allow it to alter you. Whoever or whatever this enemy may be to you, conveniently allows you to ignore your inner capacity for evil. Those who cannot see the evil in themselves, project it outwards. If you wish for enlightenment, be prepared to know everything evil as well. If you spend all of your time caring about what the things in life that cannot change, you will eventually ask yourself, "What are you doing?" And you will conclude that there is no answer.
             A common theme in philosophy is the loss of individuality in the desire to gain power and wealth. I believe this is what Nietzsche is referring to when creating the metaphor of the abyss. Translating Nietzsche's quote into real issues raised by today's culture is a modern interpretation of the abyss as a conformation to society. This understanding of the quote corresponds with Nietzsche's background and beliefs as an existential nihilist. "The mind is everything. What you think you become" - Buddha. This quote can be translated to many aspects of our lives, but in this case, I believe it relates to Nietzsche's quote in that whatever we involve ourselves fully with, there is no escaping the consequences of that involvement. Once we are a part of something or t...