---
title: "Thus Spake Zarathustra"
author: "Friedrich Nietzsche"
translator: "Thomas Common"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Philosophy"
section: 17 of 95
url: https://scriptura.si/works/nietzsche-zarathustra/17/
cite: "Friedrich Nietzsche, tr. Thomas Common, Thus Spake Zarathustra, section 17. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/nietzsche-zarathustra/17/"
---

# Thus Spake Zarathustra

*Friedrich Nietzsche, tr. Thomas Common*

A prophet comes down from his mountain to teach the overman, in sermons and songs.

## 17. XIII. Chastity

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/nietzsche-zarathustra/17/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/nietzsche-zarathustra/17/#p-N

[¶0] I love the forest. It is bad to live in cities: there, there are too many of the lustful.

[¶1] Is it not better to fall into the hands of a murderer, than into the dreams of a lustful woman?

[¶2] And just look at these men: their eye saith it—they know nothing better on earth than to lie with a woman.

[¶3] Filth is at the bottom of their souls; and alas! if their filth hath still spirit in it!

[¶4] Would that ye were perfect—at least as animals! But to animals belongeth innocence.

[¶5] Do I counsel you to slay your instincts? I counsel you to innocence in your instincts.

[¶6] Do I counsel you to chastity? Chastity is a virtue with some, but with many almost a vice.

[¶7] These are continent, to be sure: but doggish lust looketh enviously out of all that they do.

[¶8] Even into the heights of their virtue and into their cold spirit doth this creature follow them, with its discord.

[¶9] And how nicely can doggish lust beg for a piece of spirit, when a piece of flesh is denied it!

[¶10] Ye love tragedies and all that breaketh the heart? But I am distrustful of your doggish lust.

[¶11] Ye have too cruel eyes, and ye look wantonly towards the sufferers. Hath not your lust just disguised itself and taken the name of fellow-suffering?

[¶12] And also this parable give I unto you: Not a few who meant to cast out their devil, went thereby into the swine themselves.

[¶13] To whom chastity is difficult, it is to be dissuaded: lest it become the road to hell—to filth and lust of soul.

[¶14] Do I speak of filthy things? That is not the worst thing for me to do.

[¶15] Not when the truth is filthy, but when it is shallow, doth the discerning one go unwillingly into its waters.

[¶16] Verily, there are chaste ones from their very nature; they are gentler of heart, and laugh better and oftener than you.

[¶17] They laugh also at chastity, and ask: “What is chastity?

[¶18] Is chastity not folly? But the folly came unto us, and not we unto it.

[¶19] We offered that guest harbour and heart: now it dwelleth with us—let it stay as long as it will!”—

[¶20] Thus spake Zarathustra.