[1] The German “_Tüchtigkeit_” has a nobler ring than our word “efficiency.”—TR. [2] _Cf._ Disraeli: “But enlightened Europe is not happy. Its existence is a fever which it calls progress. Progress to what?” (“Tancred,” Book III., Chap, vii.).—TR. [3] It will be seen from this that in spite of Nietzsche’s ruthless criticism of the priests, he draws a sharp distinction between Christianity and the Church. As the latter still contained elements of order, it was more to his taste than the denial of authority characteristic of real Christianity.—TR. [4] “_reine Thorheit_” in the German text, referring once again to Parsifal.—Tr. [5] This applies apparently to Bismarck, the forger of the Ems telegram and a sincere Christian.—Tr. [6] An adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Well roared, lion” (_Mid. N. D.,_ Act 5, Sc. i.), the lion, as is well known, being the symbol for St Mark in Christian literature and Art—TR. [7] A parody on a line in Schiller’s “_Jungfrau von Orleans_” (Act 3, Sc. vi.): “_Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens._” (With stupidity even the gods themselves struggle in vain).—TR. [8] ἒφεξις = Lat. Retentio, Inhibitio (Stephanus, Thesaurus Græcæ Linguæ); therefore: reserve, caution. The Greek Sceptics were also called Ephectics owing to their caution in judging and in concluding from facts.—TR. [9] The following passage from Multatuti will throw light on this passage:— “Father:—‘Behold, my son, how wisely Providence has arranged everything! This bird lays its eggs in its nest and the young will be hatched just about the time when there will be worms and flies with which to feed them. Then they will sing a song of praise in honour of the Creator who overwhelms his creatures with blessings.’— “Son:—‘Will the worms join in the song, Dad?’”.—TR. [10] “Thus Spake Zarathustra.” The Priests.—TR. [11] I Corinthians vii. 2, 9.—TR. THE ETERNAL RECURRENCE AND EXPLANATORY NOTES TO “THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA.” TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE The notes concerning the Eternal Recurrence, in this volume, are said by Mrs Foerster-Nietzsche to have been the first that Nietzsche ever wrote on the subject of his great doctrine. This being so, they must have been composed towards the autumn of the year 1881. I have already pointed out elsewhere (_Will to Power,_ vol. ii., Translator’s Preface) how much importance Nietzsche himself ascribed to this doctrine, and how, until the end, he regarded it as the inspiration which had led to his chief work, _Thus Spake Zarathustra._ For the details relating to its inception, however, I would refer the reader to Mrs Foerster-Nietzsche’s Introduction to her brother’s chief work, which was translated for the eleventh volume of this Edition of the Complete Works.