On War and Warriors

We do not want to be spared by our best enemies, nor by those whom we love through and through. So let me tell you the truth, then!

My brothers in war! I love you through and through; I am and was your equal. And I am also your best enemy. So let me tell you the truth, then!

I know about the hatred and envy of your heart. You are not great enough not to know hatred and envy. Then be great enough not to be ashamed of them!

And if you cannot be saints of knowledge, then at least be its warriors for me. They are the companions and forerunners of such sainthood.

I see many soldiers: if only I saw many warriors! “Uni-form” they call what they wear: may what they hide beneath it not be uni-form!

You shall be such for me whose eye always seeks an enemy—your enemy. And with some of you there is hatred at first sight.

You shall seek your enemy, you shall wage your war, and for your thoughts! And if your thought is defeated, your integrity shall still cry triumph over that!

You shall love peace as a means to new wars. And the short peace more than the long.

To you I do not counsel work but struggle. To you I do not counsel peace but victory. Let your work be a struggle, let your peace be a victory!

One can be silent and sit still only when one has bow and arrow: otherwise one chatters and quarrels. Let your peace be a victory!

You say it is the good cause that hallows even war? I tell you: it is the good war that hallows every cause.

War and courage have done more great things than love of one’s neighbor. Not your pity but your bravery has so far saved those in misfortune.

What is good? you ask. To be brave is good. Let the little girls say: “To be good is what is pretty and touching at the same time.”

They call you heartless: but your heart is genuine, and I love the modesty of your warmheartedness. You are ashamed of your flood, and others are ashamed of their ebb.

You are ugly? Well then, my brothers! Then wrap the sublime around you, the cloak of the ugly!

And when your soul grows great, it grows arrogant, and in your sublimity there is malice. I know you.

In malice the arrogant man meets the weakling. But they misunderstand each other. I know you.

You may have only enemies who are to be hated, but not enemies to be despised. You must be proud of your enemy: then the successes of your enemy are your successes too.

Rebellion—that is nobility in the slave. Let your nobility be obedience! Let your very commanding be an obeying!

To a good warrior “you shall” sounds more pleasant than “I will.” And everything that is dear to you, you shall first let yourselves be commanded to do.

Let your love of life be love of your highest hope: and let your highest hope be the highest thought of life!

But your highest thought you shall let me command you—and it runs: the human being is something that shall be overcome.

So live your life of obedience and of war! What does long life matter! What warrior wants to be spared!

I do not spare you, I love you through and through, my brothers in war!—

Thus spoke Zarathustra.