# The Voluntary Beggar — Thus Spoke Zarathustra character guide

> The Voluntary Beggar in Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0139-part-iv-lxviii-the-voluntary-beggar

## Snapshot

A former rich man who abandoned wealth to live among cows, preaching that contentment is the only true riches.

## Who they are

The Voluntary Beggar has renounced property and status to graze with cattle, finding in their placid chewing a wisdom that shames human striving. He despises himself so thoroughly that Zarathustra calls it elevation—here is a man who has truly surpassed something, even if only his former greed. His flight when Zarathustra approaches suggests that his humility may be another form of evasion, raising the question of whether self-abnegation is genuine overcoming or merely its counterfeit.

## Relationships

### [Zarathustra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters/zarathustra)

_friendship_

The Voluntary Beggar, who abandoned wealth to live among cows, shares Zarathustra's critique of society but chooses a simpler path.

### [Zarathustra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters/zarathustra)

_friendship_

The Voluntary Beggar, who abandoned wealth to live among cows, shares Zarathustra's critique of society but chooses a simpler path.

### [Zarathustra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters/zarathustra)

_friendship_

The Voluntary Beggar, who abandoned wealth to live among cows, shares Zarathustra's critique of society but chooses a simpler path.

## In the story

### [On Passing-By](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iii-li-on-passing-by)

The foaming fool is referred to as the 'ape of Zarathustra' and is identified as the same fool who earlier appeared as the voluntary beggar, now reviling the city.

### [LXVIII: The Voluntary Beggar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-lxviii-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.

### [LXIX: The Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-lxix-the-shadow)

The voluntary beggar departs in haste just before the shadow calls out, and is mentioned as the foremost runner in the brief chase.

### [LXXII: The Supper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/chapters/part-iv-lxxii-the-supper)

Objects to the flesh, wine, and spices, preferring moderate poverty.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters/the_voluntary_beggar
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/thus_spoke_zarathustra_se/characters