On the other hand, the present writer has done little else, hitherto, than _reflect and meditate,_ like an instinctive philosopher and anchorite, who found his advantage in isolation--in remaining outside, in patience, procrastination, and lagging behind; like a weighing and testing spirit who has already lost his way in every labyrinth of the future; like a prophetic bird-spirit that _looks backwards_ when it would announce what is to come; like the first perfect European Nihilist, who, however, has already outlived Nihilism in his own soul--who has out-grown, overcome, and dismissed it. 4. For the reader must not misunderstand the meaning of the title which has been given to this Evangel of the Future. "_The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of all Values_"--with this formula a _counter-movement_ finds expression, in regard to both a principle and a mission; a movement which in some remote future will supersede this perfect Nihilism; but which nevertheless regards it as a _necessary step,_ both logically and psychologically, towards its own advent, and which positively cannot come, except _on top of_ and _out of_ it. For, why is the triumph of Nihilism _inevitable_ now? Because the very values current amongst us to-day will arrive at their logical conclusion in Nihilism,--because Nihilism is the only possible outcome of our greatest values and ideals,--because we must first experience Nihilism before we can realise what the actual worth of these "values" was.... Sooner or later we shall be in need of _new values._ FIRST BOOK. EUROPEAN NIHILISM. I. A PLAN. 1. Nihilism is at our door: whence comes this most gruesome of all guests to us?--To begin with, it is a mistake to point to "social evils," "physiological degeneration," or even to corruption as a cause of Nihilism. This is the most straightforward and most sympathetic age that ever was. Evil, whether spiritual, physical, or intellectual, is, in itself, quite unable to introduce Nihilism, _i.e.,_ the absolute repudiation of worth, purpose, desirability. These evils allow of yet other and quite different explanations. But there is one _very definite explanation_ of the phenomena: Nihilism harbours in the heart of Christian morals. 2. The downfall of Christianity,--through its morality (which is insuperable), which finally turns against the Christian God Himself (the sense of truth, highly developed through Christianity, ultimately revolts against the falsehood and fictitiousness of all Christian interpretations of the world and its history. The recoil-stroke of "God is Truth" in the fanatical Belief, is: "All is false." Buddhism of _action_....).