commander beareth the burden of all who obey, and
that this burden easily crusheth him; —
An effort and a jeopardy appeared unto me to be contained in all commanding; and whenever living things command they risk themselves.
Nay even, when they command themselves : even there they have to atone for their commanding. For their own law they must become judge and avenger and sacrifice.
' How doth that happen ? ' I asked myself. What persuadeth living things to obey and command and obey in commanding ?
Now hearken unto my word, ye wisest men ! Examine earnestly whether I have stolen into the heart of life itself and unto the roots of its heart !
Wherever I found living matter I found will unto power ; and even in the will of the serving, I found the will to be master.
To serve the stronger the weaker is persuaded by its own will which wisheth to be master over what is still weaker. This delight alone it liketh not to miss.
And as the smaller giveth itself up unto the larger, in order to have itself delight from, and power over the smallest : thus even the largest giveth itself up, and for the sake of power risketh — life.
That is the devotion of the largest, to be jeopardy and danger and a casting of dice about death.
