Page:The Makropoulos Secret (1925).pdf/169

THE MAKROPOULOS SECRET

No, only the life of the strong. The life of the most talented. For the common herd this short life is good enough.

Oh, no!

Please, I do not want to argue. The ordinary, small, stupid one surely does not die. He is everlasting. Littleness multiplies without ceasing, like flies and mice. Only greatness dies. Only strength and talent die—and cannot be replaced. We ought to keep it in our own hands. We can prolong the life of the aristocracy.

Aristocracy! Do you hear that? Privilege on life!

Only the best are important in life. Only the chief, fertile and executive men. I am not mentioning women, but there are in this world about ten or twenty, perhaps a thousand, men who are irreplaceable. We can keep them. We can develop in them superhuman reason and supernatural power. We can breed ten, a hundred or a thousand supermen—masters and creators. So, I say, select those who have the right to unlimited life.