Αποσπάσματα από το «Τάδε έφη Ζαρατούστρα»

Η ώρα που ο κόσμος παραδέχεται πόσο βαθύς είναι.

O man! Take heed!What saith deep midnight’s voice indeed?“I slept my sleep—,“From deepest dream I’ve woke, and plead:—“The world is deep,“And deeper than the day could read.“Deep is its woe—,“Joy—deeper still than grief can be:“Woe saith: Hence! Go!“But joys all want eternity—,“—Want deep, profound eternity!”

Κάποιος πάει να σε δηλητηριάσει κι εσύ αναρωτιέσαι αν τον παίρνει.

One day had Zarathustra fallen asleep under a fig-tree, owing to the heat, with his arms over his face. And there came an adder and bit him in the neck, so that Zarathustra screamed with pain. When he had taken his arm from his face he looked at the serpent; and then did it recognise the eyes of Zarathustra, wriggled awkwardly, and tried to get away. “Not at all,” said Zarathustra, “as yet hast thou not received my thanks! Thou hast awakened me in time; my journey is yet long.” “Thy journey is short,” said the adder sadly; “my poison is fatal.” Zarathustra smiled. “When did ever a dragon die of a serpent’s poison?”—said he. “But take thy poison back! Thou art not rich enough to present it to me.” Then fell the adder again on his neck, and licked his wound.

Η μοναξιά του να έχεις περισσότερα να δώσεις απ’ όσα μπορούν οι άλλοι να δεχτούν.

After this Zarathustra returned again into the mountains to the solitude of his cave, and withdrew himself from men, waiting like a sower who hath scattered his seed. His soul, however, became impatient and full of longing for those whom he loved: because he had still much to give them. For this is hardest of all: to close the open hand out of love, and keep modest as a giver.

Κοίτα προσεκτικά το μεγαλείο: καμιά φορά ένα χαρακτηριστικό έχει μεγαλώσει υπερβολικά.

An ear as big as a man!” I looked still more attentively—and actually there did move under the ear something that was pitiably small and poor and slim. And in truth this immense ear was perched on a small thin stalk—the stalk, however, was a man! A person putting a glass to his eyes, could even recognise further a small envious countenance, and also that a bloated soullet dangled at the stalk. The people told me, however, that the big ear was not only a man, but a great man, a genius. But I never believed in the people when they spake of great men—and I hold to my belief that it was a reversed cripple, who had too little of everything, and too much of one thing.

Ένας άντρας ανακαλύπτει το μυστικό για να σε κυνηγά η ευτυχία: να μένεις ακίνητος.

And he waited for his misfortune the whole night; but he waited in vain. The night remained clear and calm, and happiness itself came nigher and nigher unto him. Towards morning, however, Zarathustra laughed to his heart, and said mockingly: “Happiness runneth after me. That is because I do not run after women. Happiness, however, is a woman.”

Μια σοφία που εξακολουθεί να μυρίζει τον βάλτο απ’ όπου βγήκε.

When they give themselves out as wise, then do their petty sayings and truths chill me: in their wisdom there is often an odour as if it came from the swamp; and verily, I have even heard the frog croak in it!

Πώς μοιάζει η φιλία ανάμεσα σε δυο ζώα που είναι φτιαγμένα για να είναι εχθροί.

Then he looked inquiringly aloft—for he heard above him the sharp call of a bird. And behold! An eagle swept through the air in wide circles, and on it hung a serpent, not like a prey, but like a friend: for it kept itself coiled round the eagle’s neck.

Άλλο να αποτύχει ένα σχέδιο κι άλλο να αποτύχεις εσύ.

And if great things have been a failure with you, have ye yourselves therefore—been a failure? And if ye yourselves have been a failure, hath man therefore—been a failure? If man, however, hath been a failure: well then! never mind!