COINS OF ANCIENT ELIS.
Each is worth two drachmæ. One shows on the
obverse a Zeus head with a laurel wreath,
the other a winged Victory.
Nietzsche's favorite animals are the proud eagle and the cunning serpent, the former because it typifies aristocracy, the latter as the wisest among all creatures of the earth. It is a strange and exceptional combination, for these two animals are commonly represented as enemies. The eagle and serpent was the emblem of ancient Elis and is at present the coat-of-arms of Mexico, but in both cases the eagle is interpreted to be the conqueror of the serpent, not its friend, carrying it as his prey in his claws.
Zarathustra's philosophy is a combination of the eagle's pride and the serpent's wisdom, which Nietzsche describes thus:
"Lo! an eagle swept through the air in wide circles, a serpent hanging from it not like a prey, but like a friend: coiling round its neck.
"They are mine animals,' said Zarathustra and rejoiced heartily.
"The proudest animal under the sun, and the wisest animal under the sun have set out to reconnoitre.
"They wish to learn whether Zarathustra still liveth. Verily, do I still live.
"More dangerous than among animals I found it among men. Dangerous ways are taken by Zarathustra. Let mine animals lead me!"
Here is a sentence worth quoting:
"Of all that is written I love only that which the writer wrote with his blood. Write with blood, and thou wilt learn that blood is spirit."