Verily, a goal had Zarathustra; he threw his ball. Now be ye, my friends, the heirs of my goal; to you I throw the golden ball.
Best of all, do I see you, my friends, throw the golden ball! And so tarry I a little while on the earth—pardon me for it!
Thus spoke Zarathustra.
22. The Bestowing Virtue
1
When Zarathustra had taken leave of the town to which his heart was attached, the name of which is "The Pied Cow," there followed him many people who called themselves his disciples, and kept him company. Thus they came to a crossroads. Then Zarathustra told them that he now wanted to go alone; for he was fond of going alone. His disciples, however, presented him at his departure with a staff, on the golden handle of which a serpent twined round the sun. Zarathustra rejoiced on account of the staff, and supporteh himself thereon; then spake he thus to his disciples:
Tell me, pray: how come gold to the highest value? Because it is uncommon, and unprofiting, and beaming, and soft in lustre; it always bestoweth itself.
Only as image of the highest virtue came gold to the highest value. Goldlike, beameth the glance of the bestower. Gold-lustre maketh peace between moon and sun.
Uncommon is the highest virtue, and unprofiting, beaming is it, and soft of lustre: a bestowing virtue is the highest virtue.
