_The incidents of the fight_: the fighter tries to transform his opponent into the _exact opposite_ of himself--imaginatively, of course. He tries to believe in himself to such an extent that he may have the courage necessary for the "good Cause" (as if he were the _good Cause_); as if reason, taste, and virtue were being assailed by his opponents.... The belief of which he is most in need, as the strongest means of defence and attack, _is the belief in himself,_ which, however, knows how to misinterpret itself as a belief in God. He never pictures the advantages and the uses of victory, but only understands victory for the sake of victory--for God's sake. Every small community (or individual), finding itself involved in a struggle, strives to convince itself of this: "_Good taste, good judgment, and virtue are ours._" War urges people to this _exaggerated self-esteem_.... 349. Whatever kind of _eccentric ideal_ one may have (whether as a "Christian," a "free-spirit," an "immoralist," or a German Imperialist), one should try to avoid insisting upon its being _the_ ideal; for, by so doing, it is deprived of all its privileged nature. One should have an ideal as a distinction; one should not propagate it, and thus level one's self down to the rest of mankind. How is it, that in spite of this obvious fact, the majority of idealists indulge in propaganda for their ideal, just as if they had no right to it unless the _majority_ acquiesce therein?--For instance, all those plucky and insignificant girls behave in this way, who claim the right to study Latin and mathematics. What is it urges them to do this? I fear it is the instinct of the herd, and the terror of the herd: they fight for the "emancipation of woman," because they are best able to achieve their own private little distinction by fighting for it under the cover of a _charitable movement,_ under the banner bearing the device "For others." The _cleverness_ of idealists consists in their persistently posing as the missionaries and "representatives" of an ideal: they thus "beautify" themselves in the eyes of those who still believe in disinterestedness and heroism. Whereas real heroism consists, _not_ in fighting under the banner of self-sacrifice, submission, and disinterestedness, but in _not fighting at all_.... "I am thus; I will be thus--and you can go to the devil!" 350. _Every_ ideal assumes _love, hate, reverence,_ and _contempt._ Either positive feeling is the _primum mobile,_ or negative feeling is. _Hatred_ and _contempt_ are the _primum mobile_ in all the ideals which proceed from resentment. B. _A Criticism of the "Good Man" of the Saint, etc._ 351.