The Old Woman's Truth About Women — Thus Spoke Zarathustra

At twilight Zarathustra is asked what he hides under his cloak. He carries a little truth like a noisy child. An old woman stops him and says he has spoken to women but never about woman. He obliges her, though he says such talk belongs among men.

He calls woman a riddle whose answer is pregnancy. Man seeks danger and diversion. Woman is trained for the warrior's recreation. In true manhood he sees a hidden child that wants to play. He tells women to love with valour and hope for the Superman.

The old woman says he knows little of women yet speaks truly. She gives her own little truth in return: when you go to women, do not forget your whip. Zarathustra presents this as part of a hard conversation about power, desire, and honour between men and women. Man's soul runs deep underground; woman guesses its force. Happiness for man is I will; for woman, he will. The old woman swaddles her truth so it will not scream too loudly. He tells women their honour is to love more than they are loved and never be second in love. Zarathustra carries the truth carefully because it screams. The scene ends with a truth too loud to hold.