I press forward to learn as much as possible about the ancient practice of Stoicism. The Greek and Roman adherents to the Stoic practice of self-reflection, the mindful analysis of emotion, – desired to become virtuous individuals. The ability to respond to whatever fate served up, preserving one’s sense of identity, reciprocating with clarity of purpose, never losing one’s humanity or that of others – that was the Stoic ideal.

The nitty-gritty, down-to-earth notion of Stoic virtue impressively overlaps the ideas which Nietzsche proposes through the mouth of his literary figure, Zarathustra.

My virtue and yours, is distinctly personal, one-of-a-kind, hidden away in our souls, or stated differently, secreted in our very hearts. Virtue is the outgrowth of a particular delight, something we’ve loved, that has been cherished, pursued with satisfaction over the course of years. My virtue, and of what belongs to you is not common, such as a pet that one takes on daily walks in a public park, an attractive amusement. (Not like pulling the ears of someone’s cute cocker spaniel puppy.)

How could I marshal proper words to describe the things that are the most cherished, the endeavors to which I’ve dedicated time and money? I do not think I could adequately convey to anyone my fascination with philosophy, or my adult-long appreciation for drag racing, or…  Agony and sweetness! For you what is ‘loved most’ will radically differ. It could be music, or film, or fashion, or gardening, or architecture, or photography, or…

How in the name of the cosmos, have I reached this place, with these loves? Indeed it’s as if a bird unaccountably built its nest next to me and left behind golden eggs. What more could I tell you?

What is devil? What is angel I can no longer say! To live and to die do not seem as opposites any longer.

My brother, when you have a virtue,
and it is your own virtue,
you have it in common with no one.

To be sure, you would call it by name and caress it;
you would pull its ears and amuse yourself with it.
And behold, you have its name
in common
with the people,
and have
become one of the people
and the herd
with your virtue!

It is better for you to say:
“Inexpressible is it, and nameless,
that which is agony and sweetness to my soul,
and also the hunger of my belly.”

…An earthly virtue is
what I love:
it has little prudence,
and least of all the reason and wisdom of everyone.

But that bird built its nest beside me:
therefore, I love and cherish it
–now it sits beside me on its golden eggs.”

Thus should you stammer, and praise your virtue.
Once you had passions
and called them evil.

But now you have only your virtues:
they grew out of your passions.
You set your highest goal
in the heart of those passions:
then they became your virtues and joys.

And though you were
of the race of the hot-tempered, or of the lustful,
or of the fanatical, or the vengeful;
   in the end,
      all your passions became virtues,
         and all your devils, angels.

…Humankind
is something that must be overcome:
and therefore shall you love
your virtues,
– for you will perish by them.

– Thus spoke Zarathustra.

Thus Spake Zarathustra, by Friedrich Nietzsche, trans. by Thomas Common, Joys and Passions no. 5