In this chapter, Zarathustra describes a profound morning dream wherein he stands upon a promontory beyond the world, holding a scale to weigh the world itself. In the dream, the world appears measurable and comprehensible to one who has the capacity to understand.

Upon awakening, he resolves to emulate his dream by weighing the three most maligned concepts in human society: Sensuality, lust for power, and selfishness. These three have historically been cursed and slandered, often linked with sin and moral corruption. The narrator aims to reassess these concepts from a human perspective, weighing them anew and seeking to understand their true nature.

He first examines sensuality, which has been demonized by ascetics and those who despise the body. To the free-hearted, however, it is innocent and liberating—a source of earthly joy and a metaphor for higher happiness and hope. It is portrayed by Zarathustra as the “garden happiness of the earth,” a natural and vital part of life that has been unjustly condemned. The narrator suggests that for the strong-willed, sensuality is a great strengthening of the heart and a revered pleasure.

The second concept, lust for power, is depicted as a driving force that propels individuals to greatness. It is the “glowing whip” of the hardest hearts, pushing them to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo. The narrator describes it as an earthquake that breaks apart all that is rotten and hollow, compelling humanity to confront complacency and hypocrisy. Lust for power is likened to a passionate love that entices even the pure and solitary to engage with the world, not out of weakness but from a desire to bestow virtue and strength upon others.

Finally, selfishness is re-evaluated not as a vice but as an expression of a healthy, powerful soul. Zarathustra praises a form of selfishness that arises from self-love—rooted in strength, beauty, and a victorious spirit that inspires others. This selfishness rejects cowardice, servility, and false humility. It holds contempt for those who are overly compliant, self-deprecating, or who adhere to a “nightshade wisdom” that deems all things vain. The narrator criticizes the teachings of priests and the world-weary, who promote selflessness as a virtue while undermining the value of individual strength and excellence.

The chapter concludes with the proclamation of a coming “great noon,” a time when prevailing judgments will be overturned, and the true nature of these three “evils” will be recognized and affirmed.