# VII explained — Thus Spoke Zarathustra

> Chapter companion for Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche.

## What happens

Zarathustra declares that his wisdom has accumulated like a storm cloud and he will not be a light for the men of today, but rather a lightning that blinds them.

## Themes in this chapter

### Will to Power and Creation

Zarathustra's lightning is a metaphor for his will to power, seeking to impose his wisdom and transform the world.

## Character check-ins

### Zarathustra

Speaks of his accumulated wisdom and his intention to blind the men of today with his lightning.

## Key lines

> It is not enough for me that the lightning no longer doeth harm. I do not wish to conduct it away: it shall learn⁠—to work for me.

I am not satisfied that the lightning is harmless; I want it to serve my purpose.

_Zarathustra rejects passive safety and demands that destructive forces be harnessed for his own ends._

> Unto these men of today will I not be light , nor be called light. Them ⁠—will I blind: lightning of my wisdom! put out their eyes!

I will not be a source of illumination for these modern people; instead, I will blind them with the lightning of my wisdom.

_Zarathustra's wisdom is not meant to enlighten but to overwhelm and destroy the current order._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters