9 of 9 in Chapter XLIII. MANLY PRUDENCE301 of 593 in work
Superman as Devil
Friedrich Nietzsche
Thus Spake Zarathustra

Nietzsche confesses his disillusionment with the 'highest men' of his time, expressing a longing to soar toward the Superman, a figure so radical that the 'best' would mistake him for a devil.

...s must tigers have evolved, and out of your poison-toads, crocodiles: for the good hunter shall have a good hunt! And verily, ye good and just! In you there is much to be laughed at, and especially your fear of what hath hitherto been called “the devil!” So alien are ye in your souls to what is great, that to you the Superman would be FRIGHTFUL in his goodness! And ye wise and knowing ones, ye would flee from the solar-glow of the wisdom in which the Superman joyfully batheth his nakedness!
Ye highest men who have come within my ken! this is my doubt of you, and my secret laughter: I suspect ye would call my Superman—a devil! Ah, I became tired of those highest and best ones: from their “height” did I long to be up, out, and away to the Superman! A horror came over me when I saw those best ones naked: then there grew for me the pinions to soar away into distant futures. Into more distant futures, into more southern souths than ever artist dreamed of: thither, where Gods are ashamed of all clothes!
But disguised do I want to see YOU, ye neighbours and fellowmen, and well-attired and vain and estimable, as “the good and just;”— And disguised will I myself sit amongst you—that I may MISTAKE you and myself: for that is my last manly prudence.— Thus spake Zarathustra. XLIV. THE STILLEST HOUR. What hath happened unto me, my friends? Ye see me troubled, driven forth, unwillingly obedient, ready to go—alas, to go away from YOU! Yea, once more must Zarathustra retire to his solitude: bu...
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1 of 7 in Chapter XLIV. THE STILLEST HOUR302 of 593 in work
Now entering Chapter XLIV. THE STILLEST HOUR
The Ground Gives Way
Friedrich Nietzsche
Thus Spake Zarathustra

A confession of the existential terror felt when the 'ground gives way' and the subconscious or dream-state takes over. It captures a moment of profound, terrifying stillness where the familiar structures of life disappear.

...from YOU! Yea, once more must Zarathustra retire to his solitude: but unjoyously this time doth the bear go back to his cave! What hath happened unto me? Who ordereth this?—Ah, mine angry mistress wisheth it so; she spake unto me. Have I ever named her name to you? Yesterday towards evening there spake unto me MY STILLEST HOUR: that is the name of my terrible mistress. And thus did it happen—for everything must I tell you, that your heart may not harden against the suddenly departing one!
Do ye know the terror of him who falleth asleep?— To the very toes he is terrified, because the ground giveth way under him, and the dream beginneth. This do I speak unto you in parable. Yesterday at the stillest hour did the ground give way under me: the dream began. The hour-hand moved on, the timepiece of my life drew breath—never did I hear such stillness around me, so that my heart was terrified.
Then was there spoken unto me without voice: “THOU KNOWEST IT, ZARATHUSTRA?”— And I cried in terror at this whispering, and the blood left my face: but I was silent. Then was there once more spoken unto me without voice: “Thou knowest it, Zarathustra, but thou dost not speak it!”— And at last I answered, like one defiant: “Yea, I know it, but I will not speak it!” Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “Thou WILT not, Zarathustra? Is this true? Conceal thyself not behind thy de...
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2 of 7 in Chapter XLIV. THE STILLEST HOUR303 of 593 in work
Humility's Hardest Skin
Friedrich Nietzsche
Thus Spake Zarathustra

An internal dialogue regarding the necessity of humility, where the speaker acknowledges his deep understanding of his own 'valleys' despite his lofty heights.

...ain spoken unto me without voice: “Thou WILT not, Zarathustra? Is this true? Conceal thyself not behind thy defiance!”— And I wept and trembled like a child, and said: “Ah, I would indeed, but how can I do it! Exempt me only from this! It is beyond my power!” Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “What matter about thyself, Zarathustra! Speak thy word, and succumb!” And I answered: “Ah, is it MY word? Who am I? I await the worthier one; I am not worthy even to succumb by it.”
Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “What matter about thyself? Thou art not yet humble enough for me. Humility hath the hardest skin.”— And I answered: “What hath not the skin of my humility endured! At the foot of my height do I dwell: how high are my summits, no one hath yet told me. But well do I know my valleys.”
Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “O Zarathustra, he who hath to remove mountains removeth also valleys and plains.”— And I answered: “As yet hath my word not removed mountains, and what I have spoken hath not reached man. I went, indeed, unto men, but not yet have I attained unto them.” Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “What knowest thou THEREOF! The dew falleth on the grass when the night is most silent.”— And I answered: “They mocked me when I found an...
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3 of 7 in Chapter XLIV. THE STILLEST HOUR304 of 593 in work
Unreached Words
Friedrich Nietzsche
Thus Spake Zarathustra

A reflection on the difficulty of communicating profound truths, where the speaker acknowledges that despite his great ambitions, his message has not yet truly reached or transformed humanity.

...lf, Zarathustra! Speak thy word, and succumb!” And I answered: “Ah, is it MY word? Who am I? I await the worthier one; I am not worthy even to succumb by it.” Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “What matter about thyself? Thou art not yet humble enough for me. Humility hath the hardest skin.”— And I answered: “What hath not the skin of my humility endured! At the foot of my height do I dwell: how high are my summits, no one hath yet told me. But well do I know my valleys.”
Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “O Zarathustra, he who hath to remove mountains removeth also valleys and plains.”— And I answered: “As yet hath my word not removed mountains, and what I have spoken hath not reached man. I went, indeed, unto men, but not yet have I attained unto them.”
Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “What knowest thou THEREOF! The dew falleth on the grass when the night is most silent.”— And I answered: “They mocked me when I found and walked in mine own path; and certainly did my feet then tremble. And thus did they speak unto me: Thou forgottest the path before, now dost thou also forget how to walk!” Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “What matter about their mockery! Thou art one who hast unlearned to obey: now sha...
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4 of 7 in Chapter XLIV. THE STILLEST HOUR305 of 593 in work
The Unpardonable Command
Friedrich Nietzsche
Thus Spake Zarathustra

The author prescribes a transition from obedience to command, arguing that the most difficult and necessary task for the powerful is to accept the responsibility of ruling.

...not reached man. I went, indeed, unto men, but not yet have I attained unto them.” Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “What knowest thou THEREOF! The dew falleth on the grass when the night is most silent.”— And I answered: “They mocked me when I found and walked in mine own path; and certainly did my feet then tremble. And thus did they speak unto me: Thou forgottest the path before, now dost thou also forget how to walk!” Then was there again spoken unto me without voice:
“What matter about their mockery! Thou art one who hast unlearned to obey: now shalt thou command! Knowest thou not who is most needed by all? He who commandeth great things. To execute great things is difficult: but the more difficult task is to command great things. This is thy most unpardonable obstinacy: thou hast the power, and thou wilt not rule.”
— And I answered: “I lack the lion’s voice for all commanding.” Then was there again spoken unto me as a whispering: “It is the stillest words which bring the storm. Thoughts that come with doves’ footsteps guide the world. O Zarathustra, thou shalt go as a shadow of that which is to come: thus wilt thou command, and in commanding go foremost.”— And I answered: “I am ashamed.” Then was there again spoken unto me without voice: “Thou must yet become a child, and be without shame. The pride...
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