relish of all things and, if necessary, decree it. The practical people finally receive it from us, their dependence on us is incredible and offers the most ridiculous spectacle of the world, little though they know it, and proudly though they like to overlook us practical people: nay, they would even undervalue their practical life, if we were to slight it: whereto, at times, a slightly vindictive feeling might incite us.
506
The necessary desiccation of all that is good—What ! Are we to conceive a work in the spirit of the age which has produced it? But our delight, surprise and information are greater when we do not conceive it in this spirit. Have you not noticed that every good, new work has its least value as long as it is exposed to the damp air of its age—for the very reason that it is infected with the odour of the market, of opposition, of modern opinions, and of all that is perishable from this day to the morrow? Later on it dries up, its “temporariness" dies; then only it obtains its deep lustre and its perfume, nay, if circumstances are accordingly, its calm eye of eternity.
507
Against the tyranny of truth—Even if we were mad enough to consider all our opinions to be true, we should not wish only them to exist. I do not know
