--- title: "Thus Spake Zarathustra" author: "Friedrich Nietzsche" translator: "Thomas Common" languages: [en] shelf: "Philosophy" section: 34 of 95 url: https://scriptura.si/works/nietzsche-zarathustra/34/ cite: "Friedrich Nietzsche, tr. Thomas Common, Thus Spake Zarathustra, section 34. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/nietzsche-zarathustra/34/" --- # Thus Spake Zarathustra *Friedrich Nietzsche, tr. Thomas Common* A prophet comes down from his mountain to teach the overman, in sermons and songs. ## 34. XXX. The Famous Wise Ones Source: https://scriptura.si/works/nietzsche-zarathustra/34/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/nietzsche-zarathustra/34/#p-N [¶0] The people have ye served and the people’s superstition—NOT the truth!—all ye famous wise ones! And just on that account did they pay you reverence. [¶1] And on that account also did they tolerate your unbelief, because it was a pleasantry and a by-path for the people. Thus doth the master give free scope to his slaves, and even enjoyeth their presumptuousness. [¶2] But he who is hated by the people, as the wolf by the dogs—is the free spirit, the enemy of fetters, the non-adorer, the dweller in the woods. [¶3] To hunt him out of his lair—that was always called “sense of right” by the people: on him do they still hound their sharpest-toothed dogs. [¶4] “For there the truth is, where the people are! Woe, woe to the seeking ones!”—thus hath it echoed through all time. [¶5] Your people would ye justify in their reverence: that called ye “Will to Truth,” ye famous wise ones! [¶6] And your heart hath always said to itself: “From the people have I come: from thence came to me also the voice of God.” [¶7] Stiff-necked and artful, like the ass, have ye always been, as the advocates of the people. [¶8] And many a powerful one who wanted to run well with the people, hath harnessed in front of his horses—a donkey, a famous wise man. [¶9] And now, ye famous wise ones, I would have you finally throw off entirely the skin of the lion! [¶10] The skin of the beast of prey, the speckled skin, and the dishevelled locks of the investigator, the searcher, and the conqueror! [¶11] Ah! for me to learn to believe in your “conscientiousness,” ye would first have to break your venerating will. [¶12] Conscientious—so call I him who goeth into God-forsaken wildernesses, and hath broken his venerating heart. [¶13] In the yellow sands and burnt by the sun, he doubtless peereth thirstily at the isles rich in fountains, where life reposeth under shady trees. [¶14] But his thirst doth not persuade him to become like those comfortable ones: for where there are oases, there are also idols. [¶15] Hungry, fierce, lonesome, God-forsaken: so doth the lion-will wish itself. [¶16] Free from the happiness of slaves, redeemed from Deities and adorations, fearless and fear-inspiring, grand and lonesome: so is the will of the conscientious. [¶17] In the wilderness have ever dwelt the conscientious, the free spirits, as lords of the wilderness; but in the cities dwell the well-foddered, famous wise ones—the draught-beasts. [¶18] For, always, do they draw, as asses—the PEOPLE’S carts! [¶19] Not that I on that account upbraid them: but serving ones do they remain, and harnessed ones, even though they glitter in golden harness. [¶20] And often have they been good servants and worthy of their hire. For thus saith virtue: “If thou must be a servant, seek him unto whom thy service is most useful! [¶21] The spirit and virtue of thy master shall advance by thou being his servant: thus wilt thou thyself advance with his spirit and virtue!” [¶22] And verily, ye famous wise ones, ye servants of the people! Ye yourselves have advanced with the people’s spirit and virtue—and the people by you! To your honour do I say it! [¶23] But the people ye remain for me, even with your virtues, the people with purblind eyes—the people who know not what SPIRIT is! [¶24] Spirit is life which itself cutteth into life: by its own torture doth it increase its own knowledge,—did ye know that before? [¶25] And the spirit’s happiness is this: to be anointed and consecrated with tears as a sacrificial victim,—did ye know that before? [¶26] And the blindness of the blind one, and his seeking and groping, shall yet testify to the power of the sun into which he hath gazed,—did ye know that before? [¶27] And with mountains shall the discerning one learn to BUILD! It is a small thing for the spirit to remove mountains,—did ye know that before? [¶28] Ye know only the sparks of the spirit: but ye do not see the anvil which it is, and the cruelty of its hammer! [¶29] Verily, ye know not the spirit’s pride! But still less could ye endure the spirit’s humility, should it ever want to speak! [¶30] And never yet could ye cast your spirit into a pit of snow: ye are not hot enough for that! Thus are ye unaware, also, of the delight of its coldness. [¶31] In all respects, however, ye make too familiar with the spirit; and out of wisdom have ye often made an almshouse and a hospital for bad poets. [¶32] Ye are not eagles: thus have ye never experienced the happiness of the alarm of the spirit. And he who is not a bird should not camp above abysses. [¶33] Ye seem to me lukewarm ones: but coldly floweth all deep knowledge. Ice-cold are the innermost wells of the spirit: a refreshment to hot hands and handlers. [¶34] Respectable do ye there stand, and stiff, and with straight backs, ye famous wise ones!—no strong wind or will impelleth you. [¶35] Have ye ne’er seen a sail crossing the sea, rounded and inflated, and trembling with the violence of the wind? [¶36] Like the sail trembling with the violence of the spirit, doth my wisdom cross the sea—my wild wisdom! [¶37] But ye servants of the people, ye famous wise ones—how COULD ye go with me!— [¶38] Thus spake Zarathustra.