Thus Spoke Zarathustra · Chapter
XLIII: Manly Prudence explained
Zarathustra reflects on his double will—pulled upward toward the Superman yet bound to humanity.
What happens
Zarathustra reflects on his double will—pulled upward toward the Superman yet bound to humanity. He articulates three forms of manly prudence: allowing himself to be deceived to stay anchored among men, forbearance toward the vain as physicians of melancholy, and not being dismayed by wickedness, which holds future potential for greatness. He critiques the 'highest and best' for their fear of the Superman, whom they would mistake for a devil.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because Zarathustra achieves the ultimate psychological peak of the *Yes-saying* p…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- The Übermensch and Self-Overcoming
Zarathustra's double will embodies the tension between human attachment and the striving to overcome toward the Superman.
- Critique of Herd Morality
Zarathustra mocks the 'good and just' for their fear of greatness and their limited conception of evil.
Characters to notice
- Zarathustra
Articulates his 'manly prudence' and double will, torn between attachment to man and striving for the Superman.
- The Superman
Referenced as the distant goal that Zarathustra longs for; the 'highest men' would fear him as a devil.
- The Higher Men
Addressed as 'ye highest men' whom Zarathustra doubts, suspecting they would call the Superman a devil.
Key passages
“Not the height, it is the declivity that is terrible! The declivity, where the gaze shooteth downwards, and the hand graspeth upwards.”
It's not the summit that frightens me, but the slope where I must look down while reaching up.
Zarathustra captures the vertigo of his double will—pulled toward the Superman yet bound to humanity.
“I allow myself to be deceived, so as not to be on my guard against deceivers.”
I let myself be fooled so I don't have to constantly watch for liars.
First manly prudence: staying anchored among men by accepting deception.
“I am more forbearing to the vain than to the proud.”
I show more patience toward the vain than the proud.
Second manly prudence: vanity, unlike pride, can be a source of drama and healing.
“I am not put out of conceit with the wicked by your timorousness.”
Your fear of the wicked doesn't make me lose faith in them.
Third manly prudence: wickedness holds future potential for greatness, like the superdragon for the Superman.
