OF THE FLIES OF THE MARKET 6/
To-morrow he hath a new belief, and the day after to-morrow a still newer. Quick senses he hath, like the folk, and can change the scent quickly.
To overthrow that meaneth for him : to prove. To drive mad that meaneth for him : to convince. And for him blood is the best of all reasons.
A truth which slippeth only into sharp ears he calleth a lie and nothing. Verily, he believeth only in Gods that make a great noise in the world !
Full of noisy clowns is the market and the folk boast of their great men. Such for them are the masters of the hour.
But the hour presseth them and they press thee. From thee also they seek a Yea or Nay. Alas ! wilt thou put thy chair between for and against!
As for these unconditioned and pressing ones be thou, O lover of truth, without jealousy ! Never yet did truth hang on the arm of an unconditioned one.
As for these sudden ones, return unto thy safety: it is only at the market that one is surprised by the question : Yea ? or Nay ?
All deep wells get their experience slowly : they have to wait long before they know what hath fallen to the bottom of them.
Away from the market and glory happeneth every- thing that is great: away from the market and glory have ever lived the inventors of new values.
Fly, my friend, into thy loneliness : I see thee stung
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