# XXVI explained — Thus Spoke Zarathustra

> Chapter companion for Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche.

## What happens

Zarathustra warns his brethren that the greatest danger to humanity's future comes from the 'good and just,' who, believing they already possess what is good, oppose creators and new values. He identifies them as Pharisees who crucify those who break old tablets and invent their own virtue, thus sacrificing the future.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Herd Morality

The 'good and just' embody herd morality, opposing creators and new values, and are identified as the greatest threat to human future.

### Will to Power and Creation

The creator who breaks old tables and devises new virtue is contrasted with the good, who cannot create and thus crucify the future.

## Character check-ins

### Zarathustra

Delivers a prophetic warning about the danger of the good and just.

## Key lines

> O my brethren! With whom lieth the greatest danger to the whole human future? Is it not with the good and just?

My brothers, the greatest threat to humanity's future comes from those who consider themselves good and righteous.

_Zarathustra identifies the self-righteous as the primary obstacle to human progress._

> The good must crucify him who deviseth his own virtue!

The righteous are compelled to destroy anyone who creates their own moral code.

_Highlights the conflict between established morality and individual creativity._

## Links

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