Summary
Zarathustra returns to find his former followers have abandoned their revolutionary spirit and returned to conventional religion. The young rebels who once danced with new ideas now crawl to crosses, seeking comfort in old beliefs. He observes them gathering in small groups, playing at being pious, fishing in empty ponds, and following various spiritual charlatans. This disappoints but doesn't surprise him—he understands that most people lack the courage for sustained transformation. In a powerful scene, he overhears two night watchmen debating God's existence, their conversation revealing the hollow nature of their renewed faith. Zarathustra laughs at their doubts, knowing that the old gods died not from tragedy but from laughter—they couldn't survive their own contradictions. He tells a story of how the gods laughed themselves to death when one claimed to be the only true deity. The chapter explores the cyclical nature of spiritual movements: initial enthusiasm gives way to comfort-seeking, and revolutionary ideas get domesticated into safe traditions. Zarathustra accepts this pattern as natural—true transformation requires persistent courage that few possess. He's learned not to bind his heart to fair-weather followers who will inevitably retreat when the path gets difficult. Instead, he prepares to return to his mountain cave, understanding that authentic wisdom often walks alone.
Coming Up in Chapter 53
Zarathustra prepares for his journey home to the mountain cave where his solitude awaits. After witnessing the spiritual retreat of his former followers, he must confront what it truly means to embrace lonesomeness as both burden and blessing.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
A1. h, lieth everything already withered and grey which but lately stood green and many-hued on this meadow! And how much honey of hope did I carry hence into my beehives! Those young hearts have already all become old—and not old even! only weary, ordinary, comfortable:—they declare it: “We have again become pious.” Of late did I see them run forth at early morn with valorous steps: but the feet of their knowledge became weary, and now do they malign even their morning valour! Verily, many of them once lifted their legs like the dancer; to them winked the laughter of my wisdom:—then did they bethink themselves. Just now have I seen them bent down—to creep to the cross. Around light and liberty did they once flutter like gnats and young poets. A little older, a little colder: and already are they mystifiers, and mumblers and mollycoddles. Did perhaps their hearts despond, because lonesomeness had swallowed me like a whale? Did their ear perhaps hearken yearningly-long for me IN VAIN, and for my trumpet-notes and herald-calls? —Ah! Ever are there but few of those whose hearts have persistent courage and exuberance; and in such remaineth also the spirit patient. The rest, however, are COWARDLY. The rest: these are always the great majority, the common-place, the superfluous, the far too many—those all are cowardly!— Him who is of my type, will also the experiences of my type meet on the way: so that his first companions must be corpses and buffoons. His second companions, however—they will call themselves his BELIEVERS,—will be a living host, with much love, much folly, much unbearded veneration. To those believers shall he who is of my type among men not bind his heart; in those spring-times and many-hued meadows shall he not believe, who knoweth the fickly faint-hearted human species! COULD they do otherwise, then would they also WILL otherwise. The half-and-half spoil every whole. That leaves become withered,—what is there to lament about that! Let them go and fall away, O Zarathustra, and do not lament! Better even to blow amongst them with rustling winds,— —Blow amongst those leaves, O Zarathustra, that everything WITHERED may run away from thee the faster!— 2. “We have again become pious”—so do those apostates confess; and some of them are still too pusillanimous thus to confess. Unto them I look into the eye,—before them I say it unto their face and unto the blush on their cheeks: Ye are those who again PRAY! It is however a shame to pray! Not for all, but for thee, and me, and whoever hath his conscience in his head. For THEE it is a shame to pray! Thou knowest it well: the faint-hearted devil in thee, which would fain fold its arms, and place its hands in its bosom, and take it easier:—this faint-hearted devil persuadeth thee that “there IS a God!” THEREBY, however, dost thou belong to the light-dreading type, to whom light never permitteth repose: now must thou daily thrust...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Fair-Weather Followers
People enthusiastically join transformative movements but retreat to familiar comfort when sustained effort becomes difficult.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to identify when collective efforts are shifting from transformation to comfort-seeking.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when groups you're part of start avoiding the difficult conversations they once embraced, or when the focus shifts from 'how do we change this' to 'how do we feel better about this.'
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Pious
Showing religious devotion or righteousness, often in a showy or superficial way. In this chapter, Zarathustra's former followers have become 'pious' as a retreat from the difficult work of creating their own values.
Modern Usage:
We see this when people suddenly get very religious during tough times, or when rebels settle into conventional lifestyles.
Mystifiers
People who deliberately make things confusing or mysterious to seem wise or important. Nietzsche uses this to describe those who abandoned clear thinking for vague spiritual talk.
Modern Usage:
Like influencers who speak in cryptic quotes about 'energy' and 'vibrations' instead of giving practical advice.
Mollycoddles
People who are overly pampered or who seek excessive comfort and protection from life's difficulties. The former rebels have become soft and comfort-seeking.
Modern Usage:
Adults who can't handle any criticism or difficulty, always looking for safe spaces instead of growth.
Herald-calls
Announcements or calls to action, like a trumpet calling people to battle. Zarathustra's teachings were meant to wake people up to create new values.
Modern Usage:
Like when activists try to rally people for change, but most eventually lose interest and go back to their routines.
Fair-weather followers
People who support a cause or person only when it's easy or popular, abandoning ship when things get tough. They lack the persistence for real transformation.
Modern Usage:
Friends who disappear when you're going through hard times, or people who join movements until they require real sacrifice.
Superfluous
Unnecessary or excessive; more than what's needed. Nietzsche suggests most people are 'superfluous' because they don't create anything meaningful or new.
Modern Usage:
People who just follow trends and consume without adding value or thinking for themselves.
Characters in This Chapter
Zarathustra
Disappointed teacher
Returns to find his former followers have abandoned their revolutionary spirit for comfortable religion. He's learned not to depend on others for his mission and accepts that most people lack courage for sustained change.
Modern Equivalent:
The mentor who realizes their students gave up on their dreams for safe, conventional lives
The former followers
Backsliders
Young people who once embraced new ideas with enthusiasm but retreated to traditional religion when the path got difficult. They represent the majority who lack persistence for real transformation.
Modern Equivalent:
College activists who become suburban conformists after graduation
The night watchmen
Doubtful believers
Two guards debating God's existence, revealing the hollow nature of their renewed faith. Their conversation shows how people cling to beliefs they don't really understand or believe.
Modern Equivalent:
Coworkers going through the motions of beliefs they're not sure about
The spiritual charlatans
False teachers
Various religious leaders and mystics that the former followers now chase after, seeking easy answers instead of doing the hard work of creating their own values.
Modern Equivalent:
Self-help gurus and life coaches selling quick fixes to people avoiding real work
Key Quotes & Analysis
"We have again become pious"
Context: What Zarathustra's disappointed disciples declare when he returns
This reveals how people retreat to familiar comfort when revolutionary change becomes too demanding. They're admitting they've given up on the difficult work of creating new values.
In Today's Words:
We've gone back to playing it safe and following the rules
"Ever are there but few of those whose hearts have persistent courage and exuberance"
Context: His reflection on why most of his followers abandoned the path
Zarathustra recognizes that real transformation requires sustained courage that most people don't possess. It's not a moral failing, just a reality about human nature.
In Today's Words:
Only a few people have the guts to keep pushing when things get really hard
"The rest are always the great majority, the common-place, the superfluous, the far too many—those all are cowardly"
Context: His harsh assessment of why most people abandon difficult paths
This isn't just name-calling but Zarathustra's recognition that most people choose comfort over growth. He's accepting this reality rather than fighting it.
In Today's Words:
Most people will always choose the easy path when push comes to shove
"His first companions must be corpses and buffoons"
Context: Reflecting on what kind of followers someone like him will attract initially
Anyone trying to create something genuinely new will first attract the desperate and the foolish. Real companions come later, if at all.
In Today's Words:
When you're doing something truly different, you'll first attract the lost and the jokers
Thematic Threads
Leadership
In This Chapter
Zarathustra learns to lead without depending on followers' commitment
Development
Evolution from earlier hopes of building lasting disciples
In Your Life:
You might need to champion important causes even when others lose interest
Spiritual Growth
In This Chapter
Former revolutionaries return to conventional religion for comfort
Development
Continuation of themes about authentic versus inherited beliefs
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself choosing familiar spiritual comfort over challenging growth
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
People conform to religious expectations rather than maintain individual paths
Development
Reinforces ongoing tension between conformity and authenticity
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to abandon personal growth when it makes others uncomfortable
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Zarathustra accepts that transformation requires persistent courage most lack
Development
Maturation from disappointment to realistic expectations
In Your Life:
You might need to accept that your growth journey will often be solitary
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
Zarathustra learns not to bind his heart to unreliable followers
Development
Growing wisdom about sustainable versus dependent relationships
In Your Life:
You might need to love people while accepting their limitations and inconsistencies
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What did Zarathustra discover when he returned to check on his former followers?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think the followers abandoned their revolutionary ideas and returned to traditional religion?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen this pattern of initial enthusiasm followed by retreat to comfort in your workplace, family, or community?
application • medium - 4
How would you protect your own energy and goals when supporters around you start backing down from difficult changes?
application • deep - 5
What does this chapter reveal about the difference between people who talk about change and people who actually sustain it?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Fair-Weather Supporters
Think of a time when you tried to make a positive change in your life or work. Draw three circles: one for people who supported you when it was easy, one for people who stuck with you when it got hard, and one for people who actively opposed your change. Write names or roles in each circle, then reflect on what patterns you notice.
Consider:
- •Fair-weather supporters aren't necessarily bad people - they just have different capacity for sustained effort
- •The smallest circle (true allies) is often your most valuable resource
- •Recognizing these patterns early can help you set realistic expectations
Journaling Prompt
Write about a change you're considering now. Based on past patterns, who would you realistically expect to support you through the difficult phases, and how can you build your strength to continue even if most people retreat?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 53: Coming Home to Solitude
What lies ahead teaches us the difference between loneliness and chosen solitude, and shows us authenticity requires stepping away from crowds. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.