then slink into the fortress, and into the heart of the mightier one- and there steals power.
And this secret spoke Life herself to me. "Behold," said she, "I am that which must ever overcome itself.
To be sure, you call it will to procreation, or impulse towards a goal, towards the higher, remoter, more manifold: but all that is one and the same secret.
Rather would I perish than disown this one thing; and verily, where there is perishing and leaf-falling, lo, there does Life sacrifice itself- for power!
That I have to be struggle, and becoming, and purpose, and cross-purpose- ah, he who divines my will, divines well also on what crooked paths it has to tread!
Whatever I create, and however much I love it,- soon must I be adverse to it, and to my love: so wills my will.
And even you, discerning one, are only a path and footstep of my will: verily, my Will to Power walks even on the feet of your Will to Truth!
He certainly did not hit the truth who shot at it the formula: "Will to existence": that will- does not exist!
For what is not, cannot will; that, however, which is in existence- how could it still strive for existence!
Only where there is life, is there also will: not, however, Will to Life, but- so teach I you- Will to Power!
Much is reckoned higher than life itself by the living one; but out of the very reckoning speaks- the Will to Power!"-
Thus did Life once teach me: and thereby, you wisest ones, do I solve you the riddle of your hearts.
I say to you: good and evil which would be everlasting- it does not exist! Of its own accord must it ever overcome itself anew.
