Thus Spoke Zarathustra · Chapter
XLIX: The Bedwarfing Virtue explained
Zarathustra returns from his island to the continent and observes that people have become smaller, both in stature and in virtue.
What happens
Zarathustra returns from his island to the continent and observes that people have become smaller, both in stature and in virtue. He criticizes their comfortable, moderate, and cowardly morality, which prioritizes safety and mutual non-aggression over greatness. He denounces their 'bedwarfing virtue' and calls for self-overcoming, will to power, and the rejection of submission. He proclaims himself 'Zarathustra the godless' and looks forward to the great noontide.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Herd Morality
Zarathustra condemns the comfortable, moderate virtues of the 'small people' as cowardice and submission, contrasting them with the need for greatness and self-overcoming.
Will to Power and Creation
Zarathustra emphasizes the importance of giving oneself one's own will and divesting oneself of submission, cooking every chance in one's own pot.
Death of God and Revaluation of Values
Zarathustra proclaims himself 'the godless' and calls for a revaluation of the small, comfortable virtues that dominate the people.
Characters to notice
- Zarathustra
Returns from the island, observes the 'bedwarfing' of humanity, and delivers a scathing critique of small virtues and submission.
Key passages
“Do ever what ye will—but first be such as can will.”
Act according to your desires, but first become the kind of person who is capable of true willing.
Zarathustra emphasizes the necessity of self-mastery before action.
“Love ever your neighbour as yourselves—but first be such as love themselves—”
Love your neighbor as you love yourself, but first learn to love yourself properly.
A critique of Christian altruism, advocating for self-love as a prerequisite for genuine love of others.
“Virtue for them is what maketh modest and tame: therewith have they made the wolf a dog, and man himself man's best domestic animal.”
For these people, virtue means being modest and tame, which has turned humans into domesticated animals.
Zarathustra condemns the domestication of humanity through herd morality.