Thus Spoke Zarathustra · Chapter
XIII explained
Zarathustra condemns the ancient 'wisdom' that declares life vain and meaningless, comparing it to childish fear of fire.
What happens
Zarathustra condemns the ancient 'wisdom' that declares life vain and meaningless, comparing it to childish fear of fire. He calls for breaking the tables of the joyless and affirms the value of living well.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Herd Morality
Zarathustra attacks the herd-like acceptance of ancient, life-denying 'wisdom' that calls all vain, urging a revaluation toward joyful living.
The Body and the Earth
The chapter affirms earthly life and the body's needs—eating and drinking well—against the otherworldly or nihilistic dismissal of existence.
Characters to notice
- Zarathustra
Zarathustra speaks against the old, musty wisdom that declares life vain, urging his brethren to break the tables of the never-joyous.
Key passages
“Why should one live? All is vain! To live—that is to thrash straw; to live—that is to burn oneself and yet not get warm.”
Life is pointless; living is just futile effort and suffering without reward.
Zarathustra mocks this ancient, pessimistic view as childish and musty.
“Break up, break up for me the tables of the never-joyous ones!”
Smash the values and teachings of those who never experience joy.
Zarathustra calls for a radical revaluation of values against life-denying morality.