98 THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA, I
To die thus is the best; the second is however to die in the battle and spend a great soul.
But equally hated by the fighting one and the victor is your grinning death, which stealeth nigh like a thief, and yet cometh as a master.
I praise unto you my death, free death, which cometh because I will.
And when shall I will ? He who hath a goal and an heir wisheth death to come at the right time for goal and heir.
And out of reverence for goal and heir he will hang up no more withered wreaths in the sanctuary of life.
Indeed, I would not be like the rope-makers. They draw out their cord longer and longer, going ever backwards themselves.
Many a one, besides, waxeth too old for his truths and victories, a toothless mouth having no longer a right unto every truth.
And whoever wisheth fame, must in time say fare- well unto honour, and exercise the difficult art of depart- ing at the right time.
One must cease to be eaten, when one tasteth best ; they who would be loved for long know that.
There are sour apples whose lot it is to wait till the last day of autumn. At the same time they wax ripe and yellow and wrinkled.
With some the heart groweth old first, with others
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