OF HIGHER MAN 433
My wisdom hath for long gathered like a cloud; it becometh stiller and darker. So doth every wisdom that shall one day give birth unto lightnings.
Unto these men of to-day I do not seek to be a light, nor to be called a light by them. Them I will blind. O lightning of my wisdom ! Gouge their eyes out !
8
Will nothing beyond your capacity. There is an evil falsehood in such as will beyond their capacity.
In particular if they will great things ! For they cause mistrust towards great things, these fine false coiners and actors
Until at last they are deceivers in their own eyes, have squinting eyes, and are a whited worm-eatenness, hidden under strong words, under show-off-virtues, under shining false actions.
Take great care with such, ye higher men ! For nothing is to-day regarded by me as more valuable and rare than honesty.
Is this To-day not of the mob ? But the mob know not what is great, small, straight, and honest. They are innocently crooked, they always lie.
9
Have to-day a good mistrust, ye higher men, ye courageous ! Ye with open hearts ! And keep your reasons secret ! For to-day is of the mob.
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