I thought one could perhaps do without this torment—or one could bother others the same way they do it to me. Since I didn't want that bother I crawled back into my self.

"That's no good, you are both the sacrificer and the victim."

This is almost unbearable. I can hardly do it.

"Almost and hardly—hence not entirely."

Must it be?

"What shall become of life, if you don't take part? Slaughter and being slaughtered."

This truth smells like human blood. Does it really have to be that way?

"Why do you doubt? Do you still have childish illusions about life? Sharpen your knife."

You are incredibly cruel.

"Day won't break without you slaughtering and sacrificing."

Myself? Or who? Or what?

"Reach out and slaughter whatever you can grab?"

This is unheard-of and impossible. How can I do that?

"With a knife. Pay no mind to the screams. There have to be sacrifices, otherwise you will do yourself in."

But humaneness — what does it say about this?

"It's eminently humane that you kill your brother so that you might live?"

My brother's life is dear to me.

"Whoever does not value his own life will lose it. Now you must live. Others ought to look after themselves and not stand where your knife stabs. You shouldn't become a monkey and fool to others—for the sake of tomfoolery. Everything has a limit. They will be insolent to you because you have laid down your weapons."

Wouldn't I commit a terrible injustice, if I followed you?

"Do you call it just, when you do not live? Who shall live at all, if you don't? Everyone should live. You act in self-defense. Your kindness borders almost on the absurd."

My, your language sounds violent. This is new to me.

"No wonder, you are insanely patient. I want to live too. But you suffocate me. I will shove you against the wall if you do not obey. You have already had a taste of me today. Stand with yourself and live. You are entirely sucked dry."

Might you be finally telling the truth? Food for thought.