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Thus Spake Zarathustra: A Book for All and None — Page 5

English → It Preface Level 9/10

He assumes that Christianity, as a product of the resentment of the botched and the weak, has put in ban all that is beautiful, strong, proud, and powerful, in fact all the qualities resulting from strength, and that, in consequence, all forces which tend to promote or elevate life have been seriously undermined.

Egli presuppone che il Cristianesimo, quale prodotto del risentimento dei mancati e dei deboli, abbia messo al bando tutto ciò che è bello, forte, fiero e potente, in sostanza tutte le qualità derivanti dalla forza, e che, di conseguenza, tutte le forze che tendono a promuovere o ad elevare la vita siano state gravemente minate.

Now, however, a new table of valuations must be placed over mankind—namely, that of the strong, mighty, and magnificent man, overflowing with life and elevated to his zenith—the Superman, who is now put before us with overpowering passion as the aim of our life, hope, and will.

Ora, tuttavia, una nuova tavola di valori deve essere posta sopra l'umanità — vale a dire quella dell'uomo forte, potente e magnifico, traboccante di vita ed elevato al suo zenit — il Superuomo, che ora ci viene presentato con travolgente passione come scopo della nostra vita, speranza e volontà.

And just as the old system of valuing, which only extolled the qualities favourable to the weak, the suffering, and the oppressed, has succeeded in producing a weak, suffering, and "modern" race, so this new and reversed system of valuing ought to rear a healthy, strong, lively, and courageous type, which would be a glory to life itself.

E proprio come il vecchio sistema di valutazione, che esaltava soltanto le qualità favorevoli ai deboli, ai sofferenti e agli oppressi, è riuscito a produrre una razza debole, sofferente e "moderna", così questo nuovo e rovesciato sistema di valutazione dovrebbe allevare un tipo sano, forte, vivace e coraggioso, che sarebbe una gloria per la vita stessa.

Stated briefly, the leading principle of this new system of valuing would be: "All that proceeds from power is good, all that springs from weakness is bad."

Detto brevemente, il principio guida di questo nuovo sistema di valutazione sarebbe: "Tutto ciò che proviene dalla forza è buono, tutto ciò che scaturisce dalla debolezza è cattivo."

This type must not be regarded as a fanciful figure: it is not a nebulous hope which is to be realised at some indefinitely remote period, thousands of years hence; nor is it a new species (in the Darwinian sense) of which we can know nothing, and which it would therefore be somewhat absurd to strive after.

Questo tipo non deve essere considerato una figura fantasiosa: non è una speranza nebulosa destinata a realizzarsi in qualche periodo indefinitamente remoto, migliaia di anni da ora; né si tratta di una nuova specie (nel senso darwiniano) di cui non possiamo sapere nulla, e verso la quale sarebbe quindi alquanto assurdo tendere.

Vocabulary

Egli: EH-lyee — Third person singular masculine pronoun meaning 'he'.
presuppone: preh-soop-POH-neh — Assumes or presupposes something as a prior condition.
che: keh — Conjunction or pronoun meaning 'that', 'which', or 'who'.
il: eel — Definite article for masculine singular nouns meaning 'the'.
Cristianesimo: kree-stya-NEH-zee-moh — Christianity, the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
quale: KWA-leh — Relative pronoun or adjective meaning 'which' or 'what'.
prodotto: proh-DOT-toh — Product or result; something produced by a process.
del: del — Contraction of 'di' and 'il', meaning 'of the'.
risentimento: ree-zen-tee-MEN-toh — Resentment; a feeling of bitterness or indignation.
dei: DEH-ee — Contraction of 'di' and 'i', meaning 'of the' (plural).
mancati: man-KA-tee — Failed ones; those who have not succeeded or achieved.
e: eh — Conjunction meaning 'and', connecting words or clauses.
deboli: DEH-boh-lee — Weak ones; people or things lacking strength or power.
abbia: AB-bya — Subjunctive form of 'avere', meaning 'has' or 'have'.
messo: MES-soh — Past participle of 'mettere', meaning 'put' or 'placed'.
al: al — Contraction of 'a' and 'il', meaning 'to the' or 'at the'.
bando: BAN-doh — Ban or exile; official proclamation prohibiting something.
tutto: TOOT-toh — All or everything; refers to the entirety of something.
ciò: choh — Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'that' or 'this thing'.
è: eh — Third person singular of 'essere', meaning 'is'.
bello: BEL-loh — Beautiful or handsome; describing aesthetic attractiveness.
forte: FOR-teh — Strong or loud; having great power or intensity.
fiero: FYEH-roh — Proud or fierce; displaying pride or boldness.
potente: poh-TEN-teh — Powerful or potent; having great strength or influence.
in: een — Preposition meaning 'in' or 'into', indicating location.
sostanza: soh-STAN-tsa — Substance or essence; the fundamental nature of something.
tutte: TOOT-teh — All (feminine plural); referring to the entirety of a group.
le: leh — Definite article for feminine plural nouns meaning 'the'.
qualità: kwa-lee-TAH — Qualities or traits; characteristic features of a person or thing.
derivanti: deh-ree-VAN-tee — Deriving or stemming from; originating from a source.
dalla: DAL-lah — Contraction of 'da' and 'la', meaning 'from the'.
forza: FOR-tsa — Force or strength; physical or moral power.
di: dee — Preposition meaning 'of' or 'from', showing possession or origin.
conseguenza: kon-seh-GWEN-tsa — Consequence or result; outcome following from a cause.
forze: FOR-tseh — Forces or strengths (plural); multiple sources of power or energy.
tendono: TEN-doh-noh — They tend or incline toward; showing a general direction.
a: ah — Preposition meaning 'to', 'at', or 'in', indicating direction.
promuovere: proh-MWOH-veh-reh — To promote or advance; to support growth or progress.
o: oh — Conjunction meaning 'or', presenting an alternative option.
ad: ad — Variant of 'a' used before vowels, meaning 'to' or 'at'.
elevare: eh-leh-VA-reh — To elevate or raise; to lift to a higher level.
la: lah — Definite article for feminine singular nouns meaning 'the'.
vita: VEE-tah — Life; the state of being alive and experiencing existence.
siano: SYA-noh — Subjunctive of 'essere', meaning 'they are' or 'they be'.
state: STA-teh — Past participle plural of 'essere', meaning 'been' (feminine).
gravemente: gra-veh-MEN-teh — Gravely or seriously; in a severe or critical manner.
minate: mee-NA-teh — Undermined or eroded; weakened from the base or foundation.
Ora: OH-rah — Now; referring to the present moment in time.
tuttavia: toot-ta-VEE-ah — Nevertheless or however; expressing contrast or concession.
una: OO-nah — Indefinite article for feminine singular nouns meaning 'a' or 'an'.
nuova: NWOH-vah — New (feminine); something recently created or not existing before.
tavola: TA-voh-lah — Table or tablet; a flat surface or list of values.
valori: va-LOH-ree — Values (plural); principles or standards considered important.
deve: DEH-veh — Must or has to; expresses obligation or necessity.
essere: ES-seh-reh — To be; fundamental verb expressing existence or identity.
posta: POH-stah — Placed or posted (feminine); set in a particular position.
sopra: SOH-prah — Above or over; indicating a higher position or level.
l': l — Elided definite article used before vowels meaning 'the'.
umanità: oo-mah-nee-TAH — Humanity; all human beings collectively or human nature.
vale: VA-leh — Is worth or means; used in 'vale a dire' meaning 'that is'.
dire: DEE-reh — To say or to tell; the act of expressing in words.
quella: KWEL-lah — That (feminine); demonstrative pronoun pointing to something.
dell': del — Contraction of 'di' and 'l'', meaning 'of the' before vowels.
uomo: WOH-moh — Man; an adult male human being.
magnifico: ma-NYEE-fee-koh — Magnificent or splendid; impressively grand or admirable.
traboccante: tra-bok-KAN-teh — Overflowing or brimming; filled to excess with vitality.
ed: ed — Variant of 'e' used before vowels, meaning 'and'.
elevato: eh-leh-VA-toh — Elevated or exalted; raised to a high or noble level.
suo: SWOH — His, her, or its; third person singular possessive adjective.
zenit: DZEH-neet — Zenith; the highest point or peak of something.
Superuomo: soo-peh-RWOH-moh — Superman or Übermensch; Nietzsche's ideal superior human being.
ora: OH-rah — Now; at the present moment in time.
ci: chee — Us or to us; first person plural reflexive or indirect pronoun.
viene: VYEH-neh — Comes; third person singular of 'venire', to come.
presentato: preh-zen-TA-toh — Presented or introduced; offered for consideration or attention.
con: kon — Preposition meaning 'with', indicating accompaniment or manner.
travolgente: tra-vol-JEN-teh — Overwhelming or sweeping; carrying away with irresistible force.
passione: pas-SYOH-neh — Passion; intense emotion or enthusiasm for something.
come: KOH-meh — As or like; used for comparison or to introduce manner.
scopo: SKOH-poh — Purpose or goal; the intended aim of an action.
della: DEL-lah — Contraction of 'di' and 'la', meaning 'of the' (feminine).
nostra: NOH-strah — Our (feminine); first person plural possessive adjective.
speranza: speh-RAN-tsa — Hope; expectation and desire for a positive outcome.
volontà: voh-lon-TAH — Will or willpower; the faculty of choosing or deciding.
E: eh — Conjunction meaning 'and', connecting words or clauses.
proprio: PROH-pryoh — Exactly or precisely; also meaning 'one's own' or 'proper'.
vecchio: VEK-kyoh — Old; having existed or lived for a long time.
sistema: see-STEH-mah — System; an organized set of principles or procedures.
valutazione: va-loo-ta-TSYOH-neh — Evaluation or assessment; the process of judging value.
esaltava: eh-zal-TA-vah — Exalted or praised; glorified something above others (imperfect).
soltanto: sol-TAN-toh — Only or just; limited exclusively to one thing.
favorevoli: fa-voh-REH-voh-lee — Favorable (plural); positive or advantageous qualities or traits.
ai: a-ee — Contraction of 'a' and 'i', meaning 'to the' (masculine plural).
sofferenti: sof-feh-REN-tee — Suffering ones (plural); those who experience pain or hardship.
agli: A-lyee — Contraction of 'a' and 'gli', meaning 'to the' (masculine plural).
oppressi: op-PRES-see — Oppressed ones; those subjected to unjust authority or hardship.
riuscito: ryoo-SHEE-toh — Succeeded or managed; past participle of 'riuscire', to succeed.
produrre: proh-DOOR-reh — To produce or generate; to bring something into existence.
razza: RAT-tsa — Race or breed; a group sharing common hereditary traits.
debole: DEH-boh-leh — Weak; lacking physical or moral strength and vigor.
sofferente: sof-feh-REN-teh — Suffering; experiencing pain, distress, or hardship.
moderna: moh-DER-nah — Modern (feminine); relating to the present or recent times.
così: koh-ZEE — So or thus; in this way or to this degree.
questo: KWES-toh — This (masculine); demonstrative adjective pointing to nearby thing.
nuovo: NWOH-voh — New; recently made, created, or not existing before.
rovesciato: roh-veh-SHA-toh — Overturned or reversed; turned upside down or inverted.
dovrebbe: doh-VREB-beh — Should or ought to; conditional of 'dovere', to have to.
allevare: al-leh-VA-reh — To raise or breed; to nurture and develop a being.
un: oon — Indefinite article for masculine singular nouns meaning 'a' or 'an'.
tipo: TEE-poh — Type or kind; a category of person or thing.
sano: SA-noh — Healthy or sound; in good physical or mental condition.
vivace: vee-VA-cheh — Lively or vivacious; full of energy and enthusiasm.
coraggioso: koh-rad-JOH-zoh — Courageous or brave; willing to face danger or difficulty.
sarebbe: sa-REB-beh — Would be; conditional of 'essere', expressing hypothetical state.
gloria: GLOH-ryah — Glory; great honor, praise, or distinction.
per: pehr — Preposition meaning 'for', 'through', or 'by'.
stessa: STES-sah — Same (feminine) or herself; used for emphasis or identity.
Detto: DET-toh — Said or stated; past participle used in 'detto brevemente'.
brevemente: breh-veh-MEN-teh — Briefly; in a short or concise manner.
principio: preen-CHEE-pyoh — Principle or beginning; a fundamental rule or starting point.
guida: GWEE-dah — Guide or guiding; something that directs or leads the way.
Tutto: TOOT-toh — Everything or all; the complete entirety of something.
proviene: proh-VYEH-neh — Comes from or originates; derives from a particular source.
buono: BWOH-noh — Good; having positive moral or practical qualities.
scaturisce: ska-too-REE-sheh — Springs from or flows out; originates or arises suddenly.
debolezza: deh-boh-LET-tsa — Weakness; lack of strength, power, or resolve.
cattivo: kat-TEE-voh — Bad or evil; morally wrong or of poor quality.
Questo: KWES-toh — This; demonstrative pronoun referring to something nearby.
non: non — Not; negation word used to negate verbs or adjectives.
considerato: kon-see-deh-RA-toh — Considered or regarded; thought about carefully or deemed.
figura: fee-GOO-rah — Figure or form; a shape, person, or imaginary representation.
fantasiosa: fan-ta-ZYO-zah — Fanciful or imaginative; existing only in fantasy or imagination.
nebulosa: neh-boo-LOH-zah — Nebulous or vague; hazy, unclear, or indistinct in form.
destinata: des-tee-NA-tah — Destined or meant; intended to achieve a particular outcome.
realizzarsi: reh-ah-leed-ZAR-see — To be realized or come true; to become actual reality.
qualche: KWAL-keh — Some or any; an unspecified or indefinite amount or number.
periodo: peh-REE-oh-doh — Period or era; a span of time with particular characteristics.
indefinitamente: een-deh-fee-nee-ta-MEN-teh — Indefinitely; without a defined or known endpoint in time.
remoto: reh-MOH-toh — Remote or distant; far away in space or time.
migliaia: mee-LYA-yah — Thousands; a very large number, specifically thousands of something.
anni: AN-nee — Years (plural); units of time equal to twelve months.
da: dah — Preposition meaning 'from', 'since', or 'by'.
né: neh — Nor; used in negative constructions to link two negatives.
si: see — Reflexive pronoun meaning 'oneself' or used in impersonal constructions.
tratta: TRAT-tah — It is about or concerns; used in 'si tratta di' construction.
specie: SPEH-cheh — Species; a biological category of organisms sharing common traits.
nel: nel — Contraction of 'in' and 'il', meaning 'in the'.
senso: SEN-soh — Sense or meaning; the significance or direction of something.
darwiniano: dar-vee-NYA-noh — Darwinian; relating to Darwin's theory of natural evolution.
cui: KWEE — Relative pronoun meaning 'whom', 'which', or 'whose'.
possiamo: pos-SYA-moh — We can; first person plural of 'potere', to be able.
sapere: sa-PEH-reh — To know; to have knowledge or information about something.
nulla: NOOL-lah — Nothing; not anything at all, complete absence of something.
verso: VER-soh — Toward; in the direction of a goal or destination.
quindi: KWEEN-dee — Therefore or so; indicating a logical conclusion or result.
alquanto: al-KWAN-toh — Rather or somewhat; to a considerable but unspecified degree.
assurdo: as-SOOR-doh — Absurd; utterly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous.
tendere: TEN-deh-reh — To tend or strive toward; to aim or incline in a direction.

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