--- product_id: 1699748 title: "Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for Everyone and No One (Penguin Classics)" price: "S$25" currency: SGD in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.sg/products/1699748-thus-spoke-zarathustra-a-book-for-everyone-and-no-one store_origin: SG region: Singapore --- # 70+ years of publishing legacy 4.6/5 star rating from 3,949 readers 1700+ Penguin Classics titles Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for Everyone and No One (Penguin Classics) **Price:** S$25 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Unlock Nietzsche’s mind — where philosophy meets poetic rebellion! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for Everyone and No One (Penguin Classics) - **How much does it cost?** S$25 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sg](https://www.desertcart.sg/products/1699748-thus-spoke-zarathustra-a-book-for-everyone-and-no-one) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Timeless Wisdom in Parable Form:** Engage with layered metaphors and proverbs that challenge and inspire. - • **Enduring Penguin Classics Quality:** Trusted, expertly curated text with scholarly introductions and notes. - • **Philosophy’s Iconic Masterpiece:** Dive into Nietzsche’s revolutionary ideas that shaped modern thought. - • **Cultivate Intellectual Edge & FOMO:** Join thousands of readers exploring the profound questions of existence and morality. - • **Authoritative Walter Kaufmann Translation:** Experience clarity and poetic brilliance unmatched by other editions. ## Overview Thus Spoke Zarathustra, translated by Walter Kaufmann and published by Penguin Classics, is Friedrich Nietzsche’s most influential philosophical work. Known for its poetic parables and revolutionary ideas like the death of God, the Superman, and eternal recurrence, this edition offers clarity and depth through expert translation and scholarly notes. With a 4.6-star rating from nearly 4,000 readers, it remains a must-read for those seeking to challenge conventional morality and embrace life’s fullest potential. ## Description Friedrich Nietzsche's most accessible and influential philosophical work, misquoted, misrepresented, brilliantly original and enormously influential Nietzsche was one of the most revolutionary and subversive thinkers in Western philosophy, and Thus Spoke Zarathustra remains his most famous and influential work. It describes how the ancient Persian prophet Zarathustra descends from his solitude in the mountains to tell the world that God is dead and that the Superman, the human embodiment of divinity, is his successor. Nietzsche's utterance 'God is dead', his insistence that the meaning of life is to be found in purely human terms, and his doctrine of the Superman and the will to power were all later seized upon and unrecognisably twisted by, among others, Nazi intellectuals. With blazing intensity and poetic brilliance, Nietzsche argues that the meaning of existence is not to be found in religious pieties or meek submission to authority, but in an all-powerful life force: passionate, chaotic and free. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. Review: Exceptional! - This is a unique work for Nietzsche; the entire book is written in parable form. I find this work to be extraordinary, because there are so many layers of depth. For example, what does Nietzsche mean by the spirit of gravity? As you're reading you come to find out it is a metaphor for the devil, however, Nietzsche's idea of the devil is not like that written in the biblical scriptures. The devil is the one who supplants Human Nature with a set of so-called values that are the antithesis of natural. And why does he use the term gravity? Without gravity weight is meaningless, but the pious ones must espouse gravity, and teach their ways of gravity, because they believe this is the only thing that creates meaning in life. "Almost in the cradle we are presented with heavy words and values this dowry calls itself good and evil for its sake we are forgiven for being alive." "God is dead... and we have killed him." If morality is based on a foundation of God and we lose our belief in God what will hold our moral system together? This is the the question that Nietzsche attempts to tackle within these pages. The Setting Sun Services us daily without a care at all that we exist. It needs no relationship with us, but yet it makes its daily circuit bringing us life and warmth. "From the Sun, when it goes down, that super abundant star I learned this: then, from inexhaustible riches it pours out gold into the sea so that even the poorest fisherman rows with golden ores. For once I saw this, and did not tire of weeping to see it." Nietzsche wants us to embrace life to the fullest, to say yes to life, to love the Earth, to love reality just as it is. Nietzsche wants us to become the Overman, the Supernan, more moral then we already, but in the absence of God. How can we do take on this seemingly insurmountable task? He seems to conjecture Eternal recurrence as an impetus to become the Overman. Eternal recurrence is living your life over and over again identically for eternity. If you hate life, if you live life immorally, you will have negative consequences. What Nietzsche means by living immorally is an anti-nature life. Life will become a living hell; is that something you want to experience for eternity? a living hell? If you have to live your life over and over again forever the best way to live life then would to become the Overman. There is one catch, you Must Believe In Eternal recurrence, which I don't personally. It is analogous too the concept of Heaven and Hell which many people readily believe so for them perhaps eternal recurrence is a reasonable concept. I have read commentary which complains about contradiction in Nietzsche's work. What appears to the average reader as contradiction I believe is purposefully done. He creates a feedback loop that is much like eternal recurrence. Words are used hyperbolically, symbolically, metaphorically and do not oftentimes carry the same meaning that we would attribute to them. Like a Pious man being the devil, for example, and then having even that meaning extend into a metaphor that wraps around. The framework of this book projects Zarathustra as a type of sage wise man who is teaching people how to live Godless ways in Godless times. It reads like wisdom literature, scripture, and proverbs; oftentimes he starts sentences with, 'He Who is,' 'truly,' or 'one has to.' For example: —"He who has always been very indulgent with himself sickens at last through his own Indulgence." —"Truly I found even the greatest man all too human." —"One has to speak with thunder and Heavenly fireworks to feeble and dormant senses." And proverbs like: —"... blood is the worst witness of truth." —" to throw salt into the sea and statues into the mud are perhaps the greatest of follies." —"They would have to sing better songs to make me believe in the their redeemer: his disciples would have to look more redeemed." —"Life is a fountain of delight but where the rebel also drinks all wells are poisoned." —"Great obligations do not make a man grateful, they make him resentful; and if a small kindness is not forgotten it becomes a gnawing worm." —"This is now my way where is yours? Thus I answered those who asked me 'the way.' For 'the' way —does not exist!" Those who do not like this book are most likely the pious types who are described within its pages. They would prefer proverbs more akin to: "Life is like a box of chocolates." Those who think the book is not deep do not think deeply enough. "let him who has ears behind his ears read and comprehend!" Review: Also Sprach Zarathustra - Difficult but Worth the Effort - To start off with, the Walter Kaufmann translation is by now well known to be probably the authoritative edition of Zarathustra (although the excerpts I've read from the Del Caro Cambridge Texts edition seems to be perhaps a more beautiful style). One of the reasons I originally picked up this edition was because the only translations available over the web were the droning and pedantic Thomas Common versions which are not only dull but muddled. Walter Kaufmann's translation gives a degree of clarity that far surpasses the Common translation, cannot speak to all the differences (however large or small) between it and the Del Caro version. The book isn't particularly long, but Nietzsche fills it with metaphors and parables in addition to simple narrative and merriment. This is one of the challenges of the book: you're forced to figure out what is meaningful from what isn't and on top of that what each metaphor means. Nietzsche has never been in the habit of going into intricate detail or clarifying what he's saying to the same degree as some other thinkers, and although the book is a stylistic masterpiece (with narrative deliberately done in a biblical style and herein lies one of the advantages over the Common translation, namely that Common translated everything to mimic the King James version with an overabundance of "thees" "thous" and "ests") the philosophy is at times difficult to comprehend. Again, it's not difficult in the sense that the Critique of Pure Reason is difficult, or at least not nearly to the same degree, it is difficult because it is at times cryptic. Additionally, I've seen a lot of reviews suggesting reading Nietzsche just for the pithy phrases or the beauty of the work. And while the work is indeed a very beautiful piece in places and is often quotable (and even considering Nietzsche was very big into each individual making his own meaning, creating his own path or values), I'd caution you against that approach. Although the book has a strong "make your own way" line of thought, that doesn't preclude understanding the ways of others. I will admit that this is a contender for one of the more difficult books I've ever read (up there with Kant, though Nietzsche's previous and subsequent books are by far easier to understand). I've noticed that numerous readers recommend reading the book a second time. I'd say that might be useful, but it would take someone with either a lot of free time on their hands or someone with a very great degree of insight to grasp the meaning of each part of this work. What I found useful was having read other works by Nietzsche first. Before reading Zarathustra (which I read for the first time when I was 15 at the urging of a friend who was taking political science and philosophy in college) I had already read On the Genealogy of Morality and Human, All Too Human. My recommendation is to read at least one of Nietzsche's other books, preferably a couple. I'd suggest making Beyond Good and Evil one of your choices. By doing this, you will have already been introduced to Nietzschean philosophy and will be able to more readily grasp the symbolism used. Even if you don't choose that approach, you should get the main lines of thought, specifically the eternal recurrence of the same, the overman, and the glorification of struggle, in the work. Either way, this book is a landmark work in the history of philosophy and deserves to be read. ## Features - This product will be an excellent pick for you. - It ensures you get the best usage for a longer period ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #5,912 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #5 in Modern Western Philosophy #30 in Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction (Books) #287 in Classic Literature & Fiction | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 3,949 Reviews | ## Images ![Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for Everyone and No One (Penguin Classics) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81uJNoHnXvL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Media Language, Media Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional! *by A***M on December 23, 2023* This is a unique work for Nietzsche; the entire book is written in parable form. I find this work to be extraordinary, because there are so many layers of depth. For example, what does Nietzsche mean by the spirit of gravity? As you're reading you come to find out it is a metaphor for the devil, however, Nietzsche's idea of the devil is not like that written in the biblical scriptures. The devil is the one who supplants Human Nature with a set of so-called values that are the antithesis of natural. And why does he use the term gravity? Without gravity weight is meaningless, but the pious ones must espouse gravity, and teach their ways of gravity, because they believe this is the only thing that creates meaning in life. "Almost in the cradle we are presented with heavy words and values this dowry calls itself good and evil for its sake we are forgiven for being alive." "God is dead... and we have killed him." If morality is based on a foundation of God and we lose our belief in God what will hold our moral system together? This is the the question that Nietzsche attempts to tackle within these pages. The Setting Sun Services us daily without a care at all that we exist. It needs no relationship with us, but yet it makes its daily circuit bringing us life and warmth. "From the Sun, when it goes down, that super abundant star I learned this: then, from inexhaustible riches it pours out gold into the sea so that even the poorest fisherman rows with golden ores. For once I saw this, and did not tire of weeping to see it." Nietzsche wants us to embrace life to the fullest, to say yes to life, to love the Earth, to love reality just as it is. Nietzsche wants us to become the Overman, the Supernan, more moral then we already, but in the absence of God. How can we do take on this seemingly insurmountable task? He seems to conjecture Eternal recurrence as an impetus to become the Overman. Eternal recurrence is living your life over and over again identically for eternity. If you hate life, if you live life immorally, you will have negative consequences. What Nietzsche means by living immorally is an anti-nature life. Life will become a living hell; is that something you want to experience for eternity? a living hell? If you have to live your life over and over again forever the best way to live life then would to become the Overman. There is one catch, you Must Believe In Eternal recurrence, which I don't personally. It is analogous too the concept of Heaven and Hell which many people readily believe so for them perhaps eternal recurrence is a reasonable concept. I have read commentary which complains about contradiction in Nietzsche's work. What appears to the average reader as contradiction I believe is purposefully done. He creates a feedback loop that is much like eternal recurrence. Words are used hyperbolically, symbolically, metaphorically and do not oftentimes carry the same meaning that we would attribute to them. Like a Pious man being the devil, for example, and then having even that meaning extend into a metaphor that wraps around. The framework of this book projects Zarathustra as a type of sage wise man who is teaching people how to live Godless ways in Godless times. It reads like wisdom literature, scripture, and proverbs; oftentimes he starts sentences with, 'He Who is,' 'truly,' or 'one has to.' For example: —"He who has always been very indulgent with himself sickens at last through his own Indulgence." —"Truly I found even the greatest man all too human." —"One has to speak with thunder and Heavenly fireworks to feeble and dormant senses." And proverbs like: —"... blood is the worst witness of truth." —" to throw salt into the sea and statues into the mud are perhaps the greatest of follies." —"They would have to sing better songs to make me believe in the their redeemer: his disciples would have to look more redeemed." —"Life is a fountain of delight but where the rebel also drinks all wells are poisoned." —"Great obligations do not make a man grateful, they make him resentful; and if a small kindness is not forgotten it becomes a gnawing worm." —"This is now my way where is yours? Thus I answered those who asked me 'the way.' For 'the' way —does not exist!" Those who do not like this book are most likely the pious types who are described within its pages. They would prefer proverbs more akin to: "Life is like a box of chocolates." Those who think the book is not deep do not think deeply enough. "let him who has ears behind his ears read and comprehend!" ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Also Sprach Zarathustra - Difficult but Worth the Effort *by G***Y on February 8, 2007* To start off with, the Walter Kaufmann translation is by now well known to be probably the authoritative edition of Zarathustra (although the excerpts I've read from the Del Caro Cambridge Texts edition seems to be perhaps a more beautiful style). One of the reasons I originally picked up this edition was because the only translations available over the web were the droning and pedantic Thomas Common versions which are not only dull but muddled. Walter Kaufmann's translation gives a degree of clarity that far surpasses the Common translation, cannot speak to all the differences (however large or small) between it and the Del Caro version. The book isn't particularly long, but Nietzsche fills it with metaphors and parables in addition to simple narrative and merriment. This is one of the challenges of the book: you're forced to figure out what is meaningful from what isn't and on top of that what each metaphor means. Nietzsche has never been in the habit of going into intricate detail or clarifying what he's saying to the same degree as some other thinkers, and although the book is a stylistic masterpiece (with narrative deliberately done in a biblical style and herein lies one of the advantages over the Common translation, namely that Common translated everything to mimic the King James version with an overabundance of "thees" "thous" and "ests") the philosophy is at times difficult to comprehend. Again, it's not difficult in the sense that the Critique of Pure Reason is difficult, or at least not nearly to the same degree, it is difficult because it is at times cryptic. Additionally, I've seen a lot of reviews suggesting reading Nietzsche just for the pithy phrases or the beauty of the work. And while the work is indeed a very beautiful piece in places and is often quotable (and even considering Nietzsche was very big into each individual making his own meaning, creating his own path or values), I'd caution you against that approach. Although the book has a strong "make your own way" line of thought, that doesn't preclude understanding the ways of others. I will admit that this is a contender for one of the more difficult books I've ever read (up there with Kant, though Nietzsche's previous and subsequent books are by far easier to understand). I've noticed that numerous readers recommend reading the book a second time. I'd say that might be useful, but it would take someone with either a lot of free time on their hands or someone with a very great degree of insight to grasp the meaning of each part of this work. What I found useful was having read other works by Nietzsche first. Before reading Zarathustra (which I read for the first time when I was 15 at the urging of a friend who was taking political science and philosophy in college) I had already read On the Genealogy of Morality and Human, All Too Human. My recommendation is to read at least one of Nietzsche's other books, preferably a couple. I'd suggest making Beyond Good and Evil one of your choices. By doing this, you will have already been introduced to Nietzschean philosophy and will be able to more readily grasp the symbolism used. Even if you don't choose that approach, you should get the main lines of thought, specifically the eternal recurrence of the same, the overman, and the glorification of struggle, in the work. Either way, this book is a landmark work in the history of philosophy and deserves to be read. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great quality and quick *by M***E on July 23, 2026* Came quickly, only very very slight corner and page damage. ## Frequently Bought Together - Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for Everyone and No One (Penguin Classics) - Beyond Good and Evil (Penguin Classics) - The Myth of Sisyphus (Vintage International) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sg/products/1699748-thus-spoke-zarathustra-a-book-for-everyone-and-no-one](https://www.desertcart.sg/products/1699748-thus-spoke-zarathustra-a-book-for-everyone-and-no-one) --- *Product available on Desertcart Singapore* *Store origin: SG* *Last updated: 2026-09-26*