# XVI explained — Thus Spoke Zarathustra

> Chapter companion for Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche.

## What happens

Zarathustra condemns the absolute ones who curse laughter and lack love for the earth, arguing that they are a sickly populace-type who cannot dance and do not know how to make the earth light.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Body and the Earth

Zarathustra defends laughter and earthly joy against those who curse the earth.

### Critique of Herd Morality

The absolute ones are portrayed as a sickly populace-type, embodying herd morality that hates life.

## Character check-ins

### Zarathustra

Zarathustra speaks against those who condemn laughter and lack love for the earth.

## Key lines

> What hath hitherto been the greatest sin here on earth? Was it not the word of him who said: “Woe unto them that laugh now!”

The worst sin has been to condemn laughter and joy.

_Zarathustra identifies the condemnation of laughter as the greatest sin._

> All great love doth not seek love:—it seeketh more.

True love does not demand love in return; it seeks something greater.

_Zarathustra contrasts great love with the needy love of the absolute ones._

## Links

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