The Price of Going Your Own Way — Thus Spoke Zarathustra

Zarathustra speaks to a brother who wants solitude and the way to himself. The herd says all isolation is wrong. Even after you leave, its voice will echo in you. Pain itself came from the conscience you are trying to outgrow.

He asks for proof of strength. Are you a self-rolling wheel? Free from what? Zarathustra cares more: free for what? Can you judge yourself and live as your own law? Alone with that judge is like a star thrown into icy space. One day solitude may weary you. Your pride may break and cry that all is false.

Envy hates the one who flies highest. The good and just may crucify anyone who makes new virtue. Your worst enemy is yourself in your own caves. Go with love into isolation and create beyond yourself, even if justice limps behind you. Beware holy simplicity and the recluse's too-easy hand. Give your paw with claws when needed. You will be heretic, fool, and villain to yourself on this road. Burn to become ashes, then new. Disdain and injustice will be thrown at the star who keeps shining anyway. Choose their injustice as your portion if you must go alone. Succumb creating beyond yourself, he says with tears and love.