The Higher self (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠our flattering name for the tyrant in us who, the moment we begin to love something profoundly, says "Sacrifice precisely that to me" — cruelty to animals, a roasting over a slow fire.

The Higher self (n.) speaks ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠imperiously and comes and goes with a spectral freedom; many fear it and become actors imitating it — it is called a gift of the gods, whereas everything else is the gift of chance: man himself.

The Higher self (n.) at ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the end of a great evolution, no longer condescends to serve its violent earthly brother — it loves it and cannot but serve it; and in everything earthly it recognizes its own image.