2O6 THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA, II
And then : in the conceited one, who could measure the entire depth of his modesty ! I am favourable and sympathetic towards him because of his modesty.
From you he wisheth to learn his belief in himself ; he feedeth from your glances, he eateth praise off your hands.
He even believeth your lies when ye lie well about him. For in its depths his heart sigheth : 'What am //'
And if that is the right virtue, which knoweth not about itself : now, the conceited one knoweth not about his modesty!
But this is my third manly prudence, that I allow not the sight of the wicked to be made disagreeable through your fear.
I am blessed in seeing the marvels which hot sunshine breedeth : tigers and palm-trees and rattle- snakes.
Among men there is a beautiful brood from the hot sunshine, and in the wicked there are many astonishing things.
Let me confess : as your wisest men did not appear unto me to be so very wise, so I found men's wicked- ness much less than the fame of it.
And often I asked with a shaking of my head : ' Why rattle still, ye rattle-snakes?'
Verily, even for what is wicked there is still a future ! And the hottest south hath not yet been discovered for man.
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