Fourth and Final Part

Ah, where in the world have there been greater follies than with the pitiful? And what in the world hath caused more suffering than the follies of the pitiful?

Ah, where in the world has there been greater folly than among those who pity others? And what in the world has caused more suffering than their folly?

Woe unto all loving ones who have not an elevation which is above their pity!

Woe to all who love but have nothing in them that rises above their pity!

Thus spake the devil unto me, once on a time: “Even God hath his hell: it is his love for man.”

Once, the devil said to me: “Even God has his hell: it is his love for humanity.”

And lately did I hear him say these words: “God is dead: of his pity for man hath God died.”—ZARATHUSTRA, II., “The Pitiful.”

And recently I heard him say: “God is dead. God died of his pity for man.” (ZARATHUSTRA, II., “The Pitiful.”)