In this passage, Zarathustra is making his way back to his mountain and cave, moving slowly through crowds and various cities. Unintentionally, he arrives at the gate of the “great city.” Here, a frenzied fool with outstretched hands confronts him, blocking his path. This fool is known among the people as “the ape of Zarathustra,” having imitated Zarathustra’s style of speech and borrowed from his wisdom.

The fool addresses Zarathustra, urging him not to enter the great city. He depicts the city as a place where profound thoughts are diminished and noble feelings decay. The city is likened to a hell for solitary thinkers, a place where great ideas are corrupted and trivialized. The fool speaks of spiritual slaughterhouses and mental kitchens, suggesting that the city consumes and degrades the intellect. He describes souls hanging like limp, dirty rags used to make newspapers, and mocks the shallow wordplay that passes for discourse.

He criticizes the inhabitants for their aimlessness, feverish pursuits, and dependence on public opinion. Vice and artificial virtue coexist, with many displaying a superficial piety and servitude to the “God of Hosts.” The fool derides the sycophantic behavior of those who seek favor from the court, highlighting the emptiness of their aspirations. He points out that while the prince contemplates earthly matters, true power lies with the merchants who control wealth.

The fool implores Zarathustra to spit upon the city and turn back, emphasizing the stagnation and corruption that pervade it. He portrays the city as a gathering place for the decaying, the conspiratorial, and the morally compromised. His speech is filled with vivid imagery of decay, disease, and moral turpitude.

Zarathustra interrupts the fool, expressing his disgust with both the fool’s speech and demeanor. He questions why the fool has remained so long by the swamp, to the point of becoming like a frog or toad himself. Zarathustra suggests that the fool’s blood has become tainted, causing him to croak and revile as he does. He admonishes the fool for not heeding his own warnings and criticizes his contempt, which stems from personal vanity and a desire for revenge due to a lack of flattery from others.

Before departing, Zarathustra imparts a lesson to the fool: where one can no longer love, one should simply pass by. With this parting thought, Zarathustra continues on his journey, moving past both the fool and the great city.