Macmillan

the
BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL 159
which is all necessary accordingto the degreeof its appropriating
power, its "digestivepower,"to speak figuratively
(and in fact "the spirit"resembles a stomach more than
anythingelse). Here also belong an occasional propensity
suspicionthat it is not so and so, but is onlyallowed to
pass as such), a delightin uncertaintyand ambiguity,an
exultingenjojonentof arbitrary, out-of-the-way narrowness
and mystery, of the too-near, of the foreground,of the
magnifiedțhe diminished, the misshapen țhe beautified"
enjoymentof the arbitrarinessof all these manifestations of
power.
of the spirito let itselfbe deceived (perhaps with a waggish
Finally,in this connection, there is the not unscrupulous
readiness of the spirito deceive other spiritsand
"
dissemble before them constant pressingand straining
of a creatingșhaping,changeablepower: the spiritenjoys
therein its craftinessand its varietyof disguises, it enjoys
also itsfeelingof it is securitytherein" precisely by itsProtean
arts that it is best protectedand concealed! "
an
Counter
to this propensityfor appearance, for simplification, for a
disguise, for a cloak,in short,for an outside" for every outside
is a cloak" there operatesthe sublime tendencyof the
man of knowledge,which takes,and insistson takingthings
profoundly,variously, and thoroughly;as a kind of cruelty
of the intellectualconscience and taste,which every courageous
thinker will acknowledgein himself,provided,as
idrtuous and amiable try to convince him that it is not so!
tn fact,it would sound nicer,if,instead of our cruelty, perlaps
our "extravaganthonesty"were talked about, whis-
"
jred about and glorifiedwe free,very free "
spiritsand
it
ought to be, that he has sharpenedand hardened his eye
^sufficiently long for introspection, and is accustomed to se-
discipline and even severe words. He will say: "There
is somethingcruel in the tendencyof my spirit":let the
vere