The quote “If virtue goes to sleep, it will be more vigorous when it awakes” suggests that virtue, or moral goodness, can sometimes be dormant or inactive. However, when it awakens or becomes active again, it does so with renewed strength and vigor. This could be due to a period of self-reflection, learning, or personal growth that has taken place during the ‘sleep’ phase.

This concept can be likened to the idea of a muscle that grows stronger after a period of rest following exercise. Similarly, virtue might need a period of inactivity or ‘sleep’ to rejuvenate and come back stronger. This could also imply that even when virtue seems to be absent, it is merely dormant and has the potential to awaken stronger than before.

In today’s world, this quote could be applied to a number of scenarios. For example, in a society that often seems dominated by self-interest and corruption, the virtue of altruism or honesty might seem to be ‘asleep’. However, this quote suggests that such periods could actually lead to a stronger resurgence of these virtues.

In terms of personal development, this quote could be seen as a reminder that personal growth often involves periods of struggle and seeming inactivity. For instance, someone may feel they are not making progress in developing a desired virtue such as patience or kindness. However, during this ‘sleep’ phase, they may be subconsciously processing and learning, leading to a stronger ‘awakening’ of the virtue later on.

In essence, Nietzsche’s quote is a message of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of virtue. It suggests that virtue is never truly lost, but can re-emerge stronger after periods of dormancy.