Nietzsche claimed that his genius was in his nostrils and I think that is a very excellent place for it to be.

Meaning of the quote

This quote is suggesting that the philosopher Nietzsche believed his brilliant ideas came from his sense of smell. The Italian director Federico Fellini agreed this was a great place for his genius to be, since the nose is a very important part of the body. The quote is making a playful and imaginative connection between a person's intelligence and their sense of smell.

About Federico Fellini

Federico Fellini was an iconic Italian film director known for his distinctive style blending fantasy, baroque imagery, and earthiness. He is considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, with acclaimed works like 8 1/2, La Dolce Vita, and Amarcord that have ranked highly in critical polls.

More about the author

More quotes from Federico Fellini

Even if I set out to make a film about a fillet of sole, it would be about me.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

Fate is written in the face.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

Censorship is advertising paid by the government.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

All art is autobiographical. The pearl is the oyster’s autobiography.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

A created thing is never invented and it is never true: it is always and ever itself.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

God may not play dice but he enjoys a good round of Trivial Pursuit every now and again.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

Cinema is an old whore, like circus and variety, who knows how to give many kinds of pleasure. Besides, you can’t teach old fleas new dogs.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

Hype is the awkward and desperate attempt to convince journalists that what you’ve made is worth the misery of having to review it.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

It is only when I am doing my work that I feel truly alive.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

No critic writing about a film could say more than the film itself, although they do their best to make us think the oppposite.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

Realism is a bad word. In a sense everything is realistic. I see no line between the imaginary and the real.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

I think television has betrayed the meaning of democratic speech, adding visual chaos to the confusion of voices. What role does silence have in all this noise?

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

Nietzsche claimed that his genius was in his nostrils and I think that is a very excellent place for it to be.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

You exist only in what you do.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

A different language is a different vision of life.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

A good opening and a good ending make for a good film provide they come close together.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

Experience is what you get while looking for something else.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

The artist is the medium between his fantasies and the rest of the world.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the passion of life.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

It’s easier to be faithful to a restaurant than it is to a woman.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)

Money is everywhere but so is poetry. What we lack are the poets.

Federico Fellini

Italian filmmaker (1920-1993)