# XIV explained — Thus Spoke Zarathustra

> Chapter companion for Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche.

## What happens

Zarathustra contrasts the people's saying 'To the clean are all things clean' with his own teaching that to the swine all things become swinish. He criticizes backworldsmen and those who see the world only from its backside, affirming that while the world contains filth, it is not itself a filthy monster. He finds wisdom in loathing, which creates wings and divine powers, and insists that even the best must be surpassed.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Übermensch and Self-Overcoming

Zarathustra emphasizes that even the best must be surpassed, aligning with the call for self-overcoming.

### The Body and the Earth

Rejects backworldsmen who despise the world, affirming the earth's reality and the wisdom in its filth.

## Character check-ins

### Zarathustra

Delivers a discourse on cleanliness, filth, and the surpassing of the best.

## Key lines

> To the clean are all things clean—thus say the people. I, however, say unto you: To the swine all things become swinish!

The common saying holds that purity sees purity everywhere, but Zarathustra counters that the impure see only impurity.

_Zarathustra inverts the popular maxim to expose the projection of inner filth onto the world._

> In the best there is still something to loathe; and the best is still something that must be surpassed!

Even the highest achievements contain elements worthy of disgust, and they too must be overcome.

_Reinforces the theme of self-overcoming and the endless striving beyond current ideals._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iii-xiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters