Towards himself man is the cruellest animal; and in all who call themselves “sinners” and “bearers of the cross” and “penitents,” do not overlook the voluptuousness in their plaints and accusations!

And I myself⁠—do I thereby want to be man’s accuser? Ah, mine animals, this only have I learned hitherto, that for man his baddest is necessary for his best⁠—

—That all that is baddest is the best power , and the hardest stone for the highest creator; and that man must become better and badder:⁠—

Not to this torture-stake was I tied, that I know man is bad⁠—but I cried, as no one hath yet cried:

“Ah, that his baddest is so very small! Ah, that his best is so very small!”