NATURE, HISTORY, AND ETHICS 421 



only to the common interest and suppresses the 

 individual. 1 



" The earth will then have become unimportant, and 

 the ultimate man, who makes everything important, will 

 hop about on it. His species is ineradicable, like that 

 of the flea ; the ultimate man lives longest. 



" ' We have devised happiness ' say the ultimate 

 men, and wink knowingly. 



" They have left the regions where it was hard to 

 live ; for warmth is required. They still love their 

 neighbour, and rub against him ; for warmth is required. 



" It is regarded by them as sinful to turn sick or be 

 mistrustful ; they walk warily. It is only the fool who 

 still stumbles over stones and men ! 



" A little poison now and then that makes pleasant 

 dreams. And much poison at last, for a pleasant death. 



"They still labour, for labour is an entertainment. 

 But they take care that the entertainment does not 

 hurt them. 



" They no longer become poor or rich ; both are 

 too troublesome. Who of them still wants to rule? 

 Who of them still wants to obey? Both are too 

 troublesome. 



"No herdsman, but one herd ! All want the same. 

 All are equal. He who thinks otherwise goes 

 voluntarily into the madhouse. 



" ' Formerly all the world was insane ' say the 

 most subtle of them, and wink knowingly. 



" They are wise, and know all that has happened ; 

 I " Thus spoke Zarathustra " (Commons 1 translation). 



