354 THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA, IV
who hath lived too long among rocks and trees. For no society at all spoileth good manners also."
" Good manners ? " the other king replied angrily and bitterly. " Out of whose way have we gone ? Is it not 'good manners,' our 'good society'?
Verily, rather would I dwell among hermits and goat-herds than with our mob gilded over, false, with painted cheeks, although it call itself ' good society '
Although it call itself 'nobility.' But there all is false and rotten, above all the blood, owing unto old evil diseases and still worse physicians.
He who is best for me and dearest unto me to-day, is a healthy peasant, coarse, artful, hard-necked, endur- ing. That is to-day the noblest tribe.
To-day the peasant is the best. And the peasant's tribe should dominate ! But it is the kingdom of the mob; I no longer allow any imposition. But mob that meaneth mishmash.
Mob-like mishmash therein is all mixed up with all, saint and rogue and gentleman and Jew and every animal from Noah's ark.
Good manners ! With us, all is false and rotten. Nobody knoweth any longer how to revere. It is from this exactly that we seek to escape. They are over- sweet, forward dogs, they gild palm-leaves.
I choke with loathing that even we kings have become false, dressed up and disguised with the old withered pomp of our grandfathers, medals for the.
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