The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza"): Complete Works, Volume Ten — Nietzsche — John Shaqi
The Joyful Wisdom ("La Gaya Scienza"): Complete Works, Volume Ten
Nietzsche · en
Oft mid rocks and thorns you'll linger,
Hide and stoop, suck bleeding finger--
Will you stop and pluck my roses?
For my good luck's a trifle vicious,
Fond of teasing, tricks malicious--
Will you stop and pluck my roses?
10.
_The Scorner._
Many drops I waste and spill,
So my scornful mood you curse:
Who to brim his cup doth fill,
Many drops _must_ waste and spill--
Yet he thinks the wine no worse.
11.
_The Proverb Speaks._
Harsh and gentle, fine and mean,
Quite rare and common, dirty and clean,
The fools' and the sages' go-between:
All this I will be, this have been,
Dove and serpent and swine, I ween!
12.
_To a Lover of Light._
That eye and sense be not fordone
E'en in the shade pursue the sun!
13.
_For Dancers._
Smoothest ice,
A paradise
To him who is a dancer nice.
14.
_The Brave Man._
A feud that knows not flaw nor break,
Rather then patched-up friendship, take.
15.
_Rust._
Rust's needed: keenness will not satisfy!
"He is too young!" the rabble loves to cry.
16.
_Excelsior._
"How shall I reach the top?" No time
For thus reflecting! Start to climb!
17.
_The Man of Power Speaks._
Ask never! Cease that whining, pray!
Take without asking, take alway!
18.
_Narrow Souls._
Narrow souls hate I like the devil,
Souls wherein grows nor good nor evil.
19.
_Accidentally a Seducer_[1]
He shot an empty word
Into the empty blue;
But on the way it met
A woman whom it slew.
20.
_For Consideration._
A twofold pain is easier far to bear
Than one: so now to suffer wilt thou dare?
21.
_Against Pride._
Brother, to puff thyself up ne'er be quick:
For burst thou shalt be by a tiny prick!
22.
_Man and Woman._
"The woman seize, who to thy heart appeals!"
Man's motto: woman seizes not, but steals.
23.
_Interpretation._
If I explain my wisdom, surely
'Tis but entangled more securely,
I can't expound myself aright:
But he that's boldly up and doing,
His own unaided course pursuing,
Upon my image casts more light!
24.
_A Cure for Pessimism._
Those old capricious fancies, friend!
You say your palate naught can please,
I hear you bluster, spit and wheeze,
My love, my patience soon will end!
Pluck up your courage, follow me--
Here's a fat toad! Now then, don't blink,
Swallow it whole, nor pause to think!
From your dyspepsia you'll be free!
25.
_A Request._