Having gathered a number of followers in his cave, one of them, called the conscientious man, said to the others:
"We seek different things, even up here, ye and I. For I seek more security. Therefore have I come unto Zarathustra. For he is the firmest tower and will—
"Fear—that is man's hereditary and fundamental feeling. By fear everything is explained, original sin and original virtue. Out of fear also hath grown my virtue, which is called Science.
"Such long, old fears, at last become refined, spiritual, intellectual, to-day, methinketh, it is called Science."
This conception of science is refuted by Nietzsche in this fashion:
"Thus spake the conscientious one. But Zarathustra, who had just returned into his cave and had heard the last speech and guessed its sense, threw a handful of roses at the conscientious one, laughing at his 'truths.' 'What?' he called. 'What did I hear just now? Verily, methinketh, thou art a fool, or I am one myself. And thy "truth" I turn upside down with one blow, and that quickly.'
"'For fear is our exception. But courage and adventure, and the joy of what is uncertain, what hath never been dared—courage, methinketh, is the whole prehistoric development of man.
"'From the wildest, most courageous beasts he hath, by his envy and his preying, won all their virtues. Only thus hath he become a man.
"'This courage, at last become refined, spiritual, intellectual, this human courage with an eagle's wings and a serpent's wisdom—it, methinketh, is called to-day—'
"'Zarathustra!' cried all who sat together there, as from one mouth making a great laughter withal."
In spite of identifying the self with the body, which is mortal, Nietzsche longs for the immortal. He says:
"Oh! how could I fail to be eager for eternity, and for the marriage-ring of rings, the ring of recurrence?
"Never yet have I found the woman by whom I should like to have had children, unless it be this woman I love—for I love thee, O Eternity!"
NIETZSCHE'S HANDWRITING.