_My desire_ is to show the absolute homogeneity of all phenomena, and to ascribe to moral differentiations but the value of _perspective_; to show that all that which is praised as moral is essentially the same as that which is immoral, and was only made possible, according to the law of all moral development--that is to say, by means of immoral artifices and with a view to immoral ends--just as all that which has been decried as immoral is, from the standpoint of economics, both superior and essential; and how development leading to a greater abundance of life necessarily Involves _progress_ in the realm _of immorality_. "Truth," that is the extent to which we _allow_ ourselves to comprehend _this_ fact. 273. But do not let us fear: as a matter of fact, we require a great deal of morality, in order to be immoral in this subtle way; let me speak in a parable:-- A physiologist interested in a certain illness, and an invalid who wishes to be cured of that same illness, have not the same interests. Let us suppose that the illness happens to be morality,--for morality is an illness,--and that we Europeans are the invalid: what an amount of subtle torment and difficulty would arise supposing we Europeans were, at once, our own inquisitive spectators and the physiologist above-mentioned! Should we under these circumstances earnestly desire to rid ourselves of morality? Should we want to? This is of course irrespective of the question whether we should be _able_ to do so--whether we can be _cured_ at all? 2. THE HERD. 274. _Whose will to power is morality?_--The _common factor_ of all European history since the time of _Socrates_ is the attempt to make the _moral values_ dominate all other values, in order that they should not be only the leader and judge of life, but also: (1) knowledge, (2) Art, (3) political and social aspirations. "Amelioration" regarded as the only duty, everything else used as a _means_ thereto (or as a force distributing, hindering, and endangering its realisation, and therefore to be opposed and annihilated ...).--A similar movement to be observed _in China_ and _India._ What is the meaning of this _will to power on the part of moral values,_ which has played such a part in the world's prodigious evolutions? _Answer:--Three powers lie concealed behind it_; (1) The instinct of the _herd_ opposed to the strong and the independent; (2) the instinct of all _sufferers_ and all _abortions_ opposed to the happy and well-constituted; (3) the instinct of the mediocre opposed to the exceptions.--_Enormous advantage of this movement,_ despite the cruelty, falseness, and narrow-mindedness which has helped it along (for the history of the _struggle of morality with the fundamental instincts of life_ is in itself the greatest piece of immorality that has ever yet been witnessed on earth ...). 275.