25O THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA, III
The origin of all good things is thousandfold. From lust all good wanton things spring into existence. How could they do so in all cases once only !
A good wanton thing is the long silence. Like the wintry sky, to look out of a bright face with round eyes,
Like it to keep back one's sun and one's inflexible sun-will verily, this art and this winter-wantonness learned I well!
My dearest wickedness and art is it, that my silence learned not to betray itself by being silent.
Rattling with words and dice I outwit those who wait solemnly. My will and end shall escape all these severe watchers.
That no one might look down into my bottom and last will, I have invented for myself the long bright silence.
Many a prudent one I found. He veiled his face and made muddy his water, that no one might look through it and down into it.
But just unto him the cleverer mistrustful and nut- crackers came. They fished just out of his water his best hidden fish !
But the bright, the brave, the transparent for me they are the wisest silent ones ; they, whose bottom is so deep that even the clearest water doth not betray it.
Thou silent wintry sky with thy beard of snow !
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