New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-18
NIETZSCHE ON WAR AND WARRIORS
What Zarathustra Said of Soldiers, Peace and the
Worth Of Long Life.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: l have noted many quotations by literary men
of all nstonaities regarding the leading up
to the terrible war now raging in Europe. SO far
the German Empire is concerned, Friedrich Nietzsche
is mentioned as one Of the chief instigators Thomas
Hardy says
IF the destruction Of the Cathedral of Rheims
should turn out TO be predetermined as an object
lesson of the German ruling castles power it will
strongly suggest what disastrous blight upon the
glory and nobility Of that great nation has been
wrought by the writings of Netzsche."
trust that you will publ sh the nclosed chapter
from Nietzsche's Thus Spaae Zarathustra":
OF WAR AND WARRIORS
owe like neither to be spared by our best enc
mics. by those whom love from our heart of
heart. Let me tell you the truth!
"'My brethren in worl love you from my hearts
heart. l am and was your like. And besides / am
your best enemy. Therefore let me tell you the
truth.
~ know the hatred and envy Of your heart. Ye
arc not great enough not to know hatred and envy.
Then be great enough not to be ashamed OF them
"And if We cannot be saints of knowledge, at least
be its warriors. They the companions and pio-
necrs of the saints holiness.
81 see many soldiers: would / could see many
warriors, uniform they call what they wear
would II were not uniform what they hide under it!
'Ie shall be like unto them whose eye is ever
sing out Tor the enemy for UOW enemy. Ana
with few of you there IS hatred at first sight
"'Ne shall seek your enemy. we shall wage
your own war. and for your own thoughts. And if
your thought ne conquered, your honesty shall shout
"Ye shall love peace as means to new wars, and
the short peace better than the long.
81 do not advise you to work. but to fight | do
not advise you to conclude peace. but to conquer.
Lei your work be fight, your peace victory
Zone cannot be silent and sit still unless one hath
bow and arrow. Otherwise one talketh and quar-
re'leth. Let your peace be a victory
I've say, a good cause will hallow war? /
unto Vpsts naIt hill
ar and courage have done more great things
than charity. Not your pity, but your bravery hath
hitherto saved those who had met with accident
the little grles talk: ITO be good is what is sweet
and touching at the same time"
They call you heartless: but your heart is gend-
inc and love the shame of your heartiness Ye are
ashamed of your hoOd-tide, and others ashamed
"'Yc are ugly? Well then, my brethren, Wrap
the sublime round yourselves the mantle of what
"'And when your soul wsxeth great it waxotb
naughty and in your suhlimity there is wickedness
/ know you.
''In wickedress the naughty one and the weakling
meet But they misunderstood each other. | know
you.
"'Yc permitted to have enemies only who are
to be hated; not enemies who are to be despised We
are to be proud OF your enemy then the success of
your enemy is your success also
Rebellion, that is superiority in the slave Let
your superiority be obedience, your commanding even
be an obeyng!
ITO a good warrior "Thou shalt" sOundeth more
sgreeably than 81 will" And all that will be dear
unto you, We shall yet be commanded
Let your love unto life be love unto your high
est hope and your highest hope the highest thought
Of your life,
Your highest thought, however. We shall be or
daned by myself-and it is: man is somethino
that shall be surpassed
Thus live your life OF obedience and war! What
IS long tic worth? What warrior wisheth to be
spared?
do not spare you, love you from the heart of
my heart my brethren in war;
Thus spake ZaTathustra"
Milton n. y, Oct. Is, 1914 G. A