also more beautiful” — and thereby the tempter-god smiled with his halcyon smile, as though he had just paid some charming compliment. One here sees at once that it is not only shame that this divinity lacks; — and in general there are good grounds for supposing that in some things the Gods could all of them come to us men for instruction. We men are — more human. —

296. Alas! what are you, after all, my written and painted thoughts!

Not long ago you were so variegated, young and malicious, so full of thorns and secret spices, that you made me sneeze and laugh — and now? You have already doffed your novelty, and some of you, I fear, are ready to become truths, so immortal do they look, so pathetically honest, so tedious! And was it ever otherwise?