Thus Spoke Zarathustra · Chapter
LXVIII: The Voluntary Beggar explained
Zarathustra encounters the Voluntary Beggar, a former rich man who fled to the poorest and then to the animals, seeking happiness and learning from the kine.
What happens
Zarathustra encounters the Voluntary Beggar, a former rich man who fled to the poorest and then to the animals, seeking happiness and learning from the kine. They discuss the corruption of wealth, the mob-and-slave insurrection, and the art of giving. Zarathustra invites him to his cave, but playfully drives him away when flattered.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Herd Morality
The Voluntary Beggar condemns the 'populace' and the 'overrich', rejecting both the poor as blessed and the rich as virtuous, highlighting the decay of traditional moral values.
Pity and Contempt
Zarathustra's initial fear that someone is harmed is replaced by recognition of the Beggar's self-imposed exile, blending pity for his disgust with contempt for the world he fled.
The Body and the Earth
The Voluntary Beggar seeks happiness on earth through animal-like simplicity, emphasizing ruminating and earthly joys over spiritual transcendence.
Characters to notice
- Zarathustra
Finds the Voluntary Beggar among the kine, engages in dialogue about wealth and giving, and invites him to his cave.
- The Voluntary Beggar
A former rich man who now lives among kine, preaching about disgust with wealth and the need to learn ruminating from animals.
- The Ugliest Man
Mentioned as the one Zarathustra left before feeling chilled and lonesome.
- The Higher Men
Implied as part of the broader context of Zarathustra's journey, though not directly present.
Key passages
“Except we be converted and become as kine, we shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Unless we learn to ruminate like cows, we cannot achieve true happiness or spiritual fulfillment.
The Voluntary Beggar parodies the Christian beatitude, advocating for animal-like simplicity.
“It is no longer true that the poor are blessed. The kingdom of heaven, however, is with the kine.”
The old saying that the poor are blessed is false; true contentment is found among the cows.
Rejection of traditional Christian morality in favor of a natural, earthly existence.
“Now doth it provoke the lower classes, all benevolence and petty giving; and the overrich may be on their guard!”
The lower classes are now stirred up against small acts of charity, and the very wealthy should be wary.
Warning about the rising resentment of the masses toward the rich.