OF VIRTUE THAT MAKETH SMALLER 241
Everywhere I see lower doorways. He who is of my kin, can still pass through them, but he must stoop !
Oh, when shall I return unto my home where I shall have to stoop no more to stoop no more before the small!" And Zarathustra sighed gazing into the distance.
The same day he made his speech on the virtue that maketh smaller.
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" I pass through these folk and keep mine eyes open. The folk do not forgive me for not being envious of their virtues.
They bite at me because I say unto them : ' For small folk small virtues are requisite ; ' and because it is hard for me to understand that small folk are requisite !
Still I am like the cock in a strange farm-yard, at whom even the hens bite. But for that reason I have no dislike unto these hens.
I am polite unto them as I am unto all small annoy- ances. To be bristly towards what is small, seemeth unto me to be a wisdom for hedgehogs.
They all speak of me whenever they sit round the fire at even. They speak of me, but no one thinketh of me ! R
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