The Crucifixion of Haman

It may be wise, in this context, to remember a warning of Nietzsche : "Our highest wisdom will invariably-and should-sound like folly, even crime, in the ears of those not fit and predestined for it."' The danger of any psychological interpretation is that it might be mistaken for a rule of conduct. And who would want to encourage an attitude which would greet every fresh consignment of criminals as a welcome supply of scapegoats ? However, the danger is small in our time ; for though the worship of the criminal has increased, his use as a scapegoat has diminished. Among the more innocent of recent cases, we may remember the tributes paid to Al Capone or, an even more harmless instance, to the accused Mayor Walker. Those who saw Mayor Walker on trial report that when he left the court house in which he had been charged with the vilest misuse of public trusts, he was cheered by the crowds, and flowers were strewn on his path. The mob proclaimed with cynical candour that they would have liked the chance to "get away with as much." This is the distinction of our age: The criminal-god only incites and no longer atones for the viciousness of the masses. We have reversed the procedure of our ancestors. They used to mock the criminal and then kill him. We worship him seriously-and let him live.2