Page:Prophets of dissent essays on Maeterlinck, Strindberg, Nietzsche and Tolstoy (1918).djvu/146

Prophets of Dissent of the superman, be left unhampered to the impulse of "living themselves out" (sich auszuleben), — an opportunity of which under the regnant code of morals they are inconsiderately deprived. Since, then, existing dictates and conven- tions are a serious hindrance to the requisite au- tonomy of the master-man, their abolishment might be well. Yet on the other hand, it is convenient that the Vielzuviele, the "much-too-many," i. e. the despised generality of people, should continue to be governed and controlled by strict rules and regulations, so that the will of the master-folk might the more expeditiously be wrought. Would it not, then, be an efficacious compromise to keep the canon of morality in force for the general run, but suspend it for the special benefit of master-men, prospective or full-fledged? From the history of the race Nietzsche draws a warrant for the distinction. His contention is that masters and slaves have never lived up to a single code of conduct. Have not civilizations risen and fallen according as they were shaped by this or that class of nations? History also teaches what disastrous consequences follow the loss of caste. In the case of the Jewish people, the domineering type or morals gave way to the servile