FIRST PART. ZARATHUSTRA'S PROLOGUE. ZARATHUSTRA'S DISCOURSES.
13. XIII. CHASTITY.
I love the forest. It is bad to live in cities: there, there are too many
of the lustful.
Is it not better to fall into the hands of a murderer, than into the dreams
of a lustful woman?
And just look at these men: their eye saith it--they know nothing better
on earth than to lie with a woman.
Filth is at the bottom of their souls; and alas! if their filth hath still
spirit in it!
Would that ye were perfect--at least as animals! But to animals belongeth
innocence.
Do I counsel you to slay your instincts? I counsel you to innocence in
your instincts.
Do I counsel you to chastity? Chastity is a virtue with some, but with
many almost a vice.
These are continent, to be sure: but doggish lust looketh enviously out of
all that they do.
Even into the heights of their virtue and into their cold spirit doth this
creature follow them, with its discord.
And how nicely can doggish lust beg for a piece of spirit, when a piece of
flesh is denied it!
Ye love tragedies and all that breaketh the heart? But I am distrustful of
your doggish lust.
Ye have too cruel eyes, and ye look wantonly towards the sufferers. Hath
not your lust just disguised itself and taken the name of fellow-suffering?
And also this parable give I unto you: Not a few who meant to cast out
their devil, went thereby into the swine themselves.
To whom chastity is difficult, it is to be dissuaded: lest it become the
road to hell--to filth and lust of soul.
Do I speak of filthy things? That is not the worst thing for me to do.
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