First Part · XXII. The Bestowing Virtue

Parting at the crossroad; the golden staff

When Zarathustra had taken leave of the town to which his heart was attached, the name of which is “The Pied Cow,” there followed him many people who called themselves his disciples, and kept him company. Thus came they to a crossroad. Then Zarathustra told them that he now wanted to go alone; for he was fond of going alone. His disciples, however, presented him at his departure with a staff, on the golden handle of which a serpent twined round the sun. Zarathustra rejoiced on account of the staff, and supported himself thereon; then spake he thus to his disciples:

Leaving the town of the Pied Cow, Zarathustra tells his followers at a crossroad that he will go alone. They give him a staff with a golden handle showing a serpent twined round the sun.

SolitudeZarathustra leaves the town and his followers, saying he is fond of going alone.

Commentary on this chapter

What the critics said

Anthony M. Ludovici, Notes on Thus Spake Zarathustra (1909)

Bestowing as discharge of overflowing strengthAnthony M. Ludovici · Notes on Thus Spake Zarathustra, 1909interpretation

Ludovici says that the Nietzschean ideal is the man of overflowing strength who must discharge it or perish, so that giving from overflow is the only charity Nietzsche recognises, and that the discourse urges disciples to become independent thinkers and find themselves before learning more from Zarathustra.