The Shadow: With that I am content. For every one will only recognise your views once more, and no one will think of the shadow.
The Wanderer: Perhaps you are wrong, my friend! Hitherto they have observed in my views more of the shadow than of me.
The Shadow: More of the shadow than of the light? Is that possible?
The Wanderer: Be serious, dear fool! My very first question demands seriousness.
1.
Of the Tree of Knowledge.—Probability, but no truth; the semblance of freedom, but no freedom—these are the two fruits by virtue of which the tree of knowledge cannot be confounded with the tree of life.
2.
The World's Reason.—That the world is not the abstract essence of an eternal reasonableness is sufficiently proved by the fact that that bit of the world which we know—I mean our human reason—is none too reasonable. And if this is not eternally and wholly wise and reasonable, the rest of the world will not be so either. Here the conclusion a minori ad majus, a parte ad totum holds good, and that with decisive force.
3.
“In the Beginning was.”—To glorify the origin—that is the metaphysical after-shoot which sprouts again at the contemplation of history, and absolutely makes us imagine that in the beginning of things lies all that is most valuable and essential.