Here he seeks out his last master: he wants to fight him…
““Here he seeks out his last master: he wants to fight him and his last god; for ultimate victory he wants to fight with the great dragon. Who is the great dragon whom the spirit will no longer call lord and god? “Thou shalt” is the name of the great dragon. But the spirit of the lion says, “I will.” “Thou shalt” lies in his way, sparkling like gold, an animal covered with scales; and on every scale shines a golden “thou shalt.” Values, thousands of years old, shine on these scales; and thus speaks the mightiest of all dragons: “All value of all things shines on me. All value has long been created, and I am all created value. Verily, there shall be no more ‘I will.’ ” Thus speaks the dragon. My brothers, why is there a need in the spirit for the lion? Why is not the beast of burden, which renounces and is reverent, enough?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage allegorizes the conflict between willful individuality (the lion) and imposed moral law (the dragon), suggesting that ultimate value transcends personal will and becomes a universal, immutable principle.
In simple terms: It contrasts personal will with an overarching moral authority that claims all value.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when external values dominate personal will.
Themes
will
power
morality
individualism
transcendence
Mood
reflective
philosophical
Type
aphilosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- personal decision-making
- ethical debates
- spiritual reflection
- cultural criticism
Key Concepts
Nietzschean philosophy
eternal recurrence
master-slave morality
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you feel constrained by external moral codes?
- How can one balance personal will with universal values?
A Different Perspective
The dragon’s claim may suppress authentic self‑creation and lead to nihilism.