Summary
Zarathustra encounters an old woman who challenges him to share his thoughts about women, leading to one of the book's most controversial passages. He presents a series of provocative statements about gender roles, describing women as riddles solved by pregnancy, men as seekers of danger and diversion, and relationships as complex power dynamics. His philosophy portrays men and women as fundamentally different beings with different drives—men seeking conquest and challenge, women seeking depth and devotion. The old woman listens to his theories and responds with surprising agreement, noting that while Zarathustra knows little about women experientially, his observations ring true. She then offers her own 'little truth' in return: when going to women, don't forget your whip. This shocking conclusion serves as Nietzsche's commentary on power dynamics in relationships. The chapter forces readers to grapple with uncomfortable questions about gender, power, and human nature. While the views expressed are deeply problematic by modern standards, they reflect 19th-century attitudes and Nietzsche's broader philosophy about strength, will, and human drives. The real value lies not in accepting these views, but in understanding how they reveal the complex relationship between individual desire, social expectations, and the eternal human struggle for meaning and connection.
Coming Up in Chapter 19
After sharing controversial truths about relationships, Zarathustra faces a literal bite from reality when a serpent's attack leads to an unexpected moment of gratitude and recognition. Sometimes our greatest awakenings come from the most painful interruptions.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
W“hy stealest thou along so furtively in the twilight, Zarathustra? And what hidest thou so carefully under thy mantle? Is it a treasure that hath been given thee? Or a child that hath been born thee? Or goest thou thyself on a thief’s errand, thou friend of the evil?”— Verily, my brother, said Zarathustra, it is a treasure that hath been given me: it is a little truth which I carry. But it is naughty, like a young child; and if I hold not its mouth, it screameth too loudly. As I went on my way alone to-day, at the hour when the sun declineth, there met me an old woman, and she spake thus unto my soul: “Much hath Zarathustra spoken also to us women, but never spake he unto us concerning woman.” And I answered her: “Concerning woman, one should only talk unto men.” “Talk also unto me of woman,” said she; “I am old enough to forget it presently.” And I obliged the old woman and spake thus unto her: Everything in woman is a riddle, and everything in woman hath one solution—it is called pregnancy. Man is for woman a means: the purpose is always the child. But what is woman for man? Two different things wanteth the true man: danger and diversion. Therefore wanteth he woman, as the most dangerous plaything. Man shall be trained for war, and woman for the recreation of the warrior: all else is folly. Too sweet fruits—these the warrior liketh not. Therefore liketh he woman;—bitter is even the sweetest woman. Better than man doth woman understand children, but man is more childish than woman. In the true man there is a child hidden: it wanteth to play. Up then, ye women, and discover the child in man! A plaything let woman be, pure and fine like the precious stone, illumined with the virtues of a world not yet come. Let the beam of a star shine in your love! Let your hope say: “May I bear the Superman!” In your love let there be valour! With your love shall ye assail him who inspireth you with fear! In your love be your honour! Little doth woman understand otherwise about honour. But let this be your honour: always to love more than ye are loved, and never be the second. Let man fear woman when she loveth: then maketh she every sacrifice, and everything else she regardeth as worthless. Let man fear woman when she hateth: for man in his innermost soul is merely evil; woman, however, is mean. Whom hateth woman most?—Thus spake the iron to the loadstone: “I hate thee most, because thou attractest, but art too weak to draw unto thee.” The happiness of man is, “I will.” The happiness of woman is, “He will.” “Lo! now hath the world become perfect!”—thus thinketh every woman when she obeyeth with all her love. Obey, must the woman, and find a depth for her surface. Surface, is woman’s soul, a...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Dangerous Certainty
The tendency to construct absolute theories about groups of people based on limited experience, revealing more about our own biases than about reality.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when someone (including yourself) mistakes limited observation for universal truth.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you or others speak in absolutes about groups of people - catch phrases like 'all managers are...' or 'people like that always...' and ask what evidence supports such broad claims.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Philosophical Dialogue
A conversation where ideas are explored through questions and responses between characters. Nietzsche uses this ancient format to present controversial ideas through Zarathustra's voice rather than stating them directly as his own views.
Modern Usage:
We see this in podcasts where hosts debate big ideas, or when friends argue about life choices over coffee.
Gender Essentialism
The belief that men and women have fundamentally different, unchangeable natures that determine their roles and purposes. This was common thinking in the 1880s when Nietzsche wrote this.
Modern Usage:
Still shows up in debates about whether certain jobs or behaviors are 'naturally' masculine or feminine.
Power Dynamics
The ways people gain, use, or lose control in relationships. Nietzsche explores how men and women might use different strategies to get what they want from each other.
Modern Usage:
Think about who controls the remote, who makes financial decisions, or who apologizes first after fights.
Provocative Philosophy
Using shocking or offensive statements to force people to examine their beliefs. Nietzsche often said extreme things not because he believed them literally, but to make readers think harder.
Modern Usage:
Like comedians who use controversial jokes to point out social problems, or activists who use extreme slogans to get attention.
Biological Determinism
The idea that biology determines destiny - that women exist primarily for reproduction and men for conquest. This reflects 19th-century scientific thinking that we now know is oversimplified.
Modern Usage:
Still surfaces in arguments about women in combat roles or men as primary breadwinners.
Riddle
In this context, something mysterious that needs solving. Zarathustra claims women are puzzles that men must figure out, reflecting the era's view of women as fundamentally unknowable.
Modern Usage:
The stereotype that women are 'complicated' or that men 'don't understand women' persists in relationship advice and comedy.
Characters in This Chapter
Zarathustra
Philosophical teacher
Reluctantly shares his controversial views about women when challenged by the old woman. His discomfort suggests even he knows these ideas are problematic, but he presents them as part of his broader philosophy about human nature.
Modern Equivalent:
The guy who thinks he has all the answers about relationships but has never been in a successful long-term one
The Old Woman
Challenger and wisdom-giver
She forces Zarathustra to address topics he'd rather avoid, listens to his theories, then delivers the shocking final line about the whip. She represents experience challenging theory.
Modern Equivalent:
The grandmother who's seen it all and isn't impressed by anyone's fancy theories about life
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Everything in woman is a riddle, and everything in woman hath one solution—it is called pregnancy."
Context: When pressed to explain his views on women
This reduces women to their biological function, reflecting 19th-century thinking that defined women primarily as mothers. It's meant to be provocative and shows how limiting such thinking is.
In Today's Words:
Women are mysterious, but it all comes down to having babies.
"Man is for woman a means: the purpose is always the child. But what is woman for man?"
Context: Explaining his theory of gender relations
He suggests both sexes use each other, but for different ends. This cynical view of relationships as purely transactional reflects his broader philosophy about power and will.
In Today's Words:
Women use men to get kids, but what do men get out of women?
"Two different things wanteth the true man: danger and diversion. Therefore wanteth he woman, as the most dangerous plaything."
Context: Describing what men seek in relationships
This objectifies women as entertainment for men while also acknowledging their power to be 'dangerous.' It captures the fear and attraction dynamic that often exists in gender relations.
In Today's Words:
Real men want excitement and fun, so they want women because they're thrilling but risky.
"Thou goest to women? Do not forget thy whip!"
Context: Her final advice to Zarathustra
The most shocking line in the chapter. It could mean men need to maintain dominance, or ironically suggest that women are the ones who really hold the whip. The ambiguity is intentional.
In Today's Words:
Going to deal with women? Better bring your A-game and stay in control.
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Zarathustra defines identity through rigid categories and roles, seeing men and women as fundamentally different species with fixed natures
Development
Builds on earlier themes of self-creation, but now shows the danger of applying rigid frameworks to others
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself making sweeping statements about coworkers, family members, or entire generations based on limited interactions.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The chapter reinforces traditional gender roles and power dynamics, presenting them as natural and inevitable rather than constructed
Development
Continues exploration of how society shapes behavior, but now reveals how even 'revolutionary' thinkers can perpetuate harmful norms
In Your Life:
You might notice how your own expectations about others' roles limit both your relationships and their potential.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Relationships are portrayed as power struggles between fundamentally incompatible beings rather than connections between complex individuals
Development
Contrasts sharply with earlier themes of connection and understanding, showing how theory can poison actual relating
In Your Life:
You might recognize times when your theories about relationships prevented you from seeing the actual person in front of you.
Class
In This Chapter
The old woman's deference to Zarathustra's 'wisdom' reflects how authority and perceived education can silence more experienced voices
Development
Introduces new dimension to class dynamics—how intellectual authority can override practical wisdom
In Your Life:
You might notice how you defer to credentials over experience, or how others dismiss your insights because of your background.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Shows how intellectual arrogance can actually prevent growth by making us closed to contradiction and new information
Development
Warns against the pride that often accompanies philosophical development—knowledge can become a prison
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself becoming more rigid in your views as you learn more, rather than more flexible and curious.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Zarathustra claim to know about men and women, and how does the old woman respond to his theories?
analysis • surface - 2
Why might someone with limited experience speak with such absolute certainty about complex topics like gender and relationships?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today making sweeping statements about entire groups based on limited experience—at work, online, or in personal conversations?
application • medium - 4
When you catch yourself or others speaking in absolutes about groups of people, what questions could you ask to test those theories?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the relationship between intellectual confidence and actual wisdom?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Test Your Theories
Think of a strong opinion you hold about a group of people—coworkers, customers, a generation, political party, or demographic. Write down your theory in one sentence. Now challenge it: What's your sample size? What exceptions have you ignored? What might someone from that group say about your theory?
Consider:
- •Consider how your personal experiences might have shaped this belief
- •Think about what you might gain by holding this theory (feeling superior, avoiding complexity, justifying decisions)
- •Ask yourself what evidence would change your mind
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone made assumptions about a group you belong to. How did it feel? What did they miss about you as an individual? How might this experience help you approach your own theories about others?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 19: The Adder's Bite and Cold Justice
Moving forward, we'll examine turning the other cheek isn't always the strongest response, and understand shared struggle can create unexpected bonds with enemies. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.