In every guilty man, there is some innocence. This makes every absolute condemnation revolting.

One might think, that a period which, within fifty years, uproots, enslaves or kills seventy million human beings, should only, and forthwith, be condemned. But also its guilt must be understood.

A man is more a man through the things he keeps to himself than through those he says.

Your successes and happiness are forgiven you only if you generously consent to share them.

After all manner of professors have done their best for us, the place we are to get knowledge is in books. The true university of these days is a collection of books.

Purely historical thought is therefore nihilistic: it wholeheartedly accepts the evil of history and in this way is opposed to rebellion.

Retaliation is related to nature and instinct, not to law. Law, by definition, cannot obey the same rules as nature.