The entire history of mankind is, in any case, nothing but a prolonged fight to the death for the conquest of universal prestige and absolute power.

Rebellion, in man, is the refusal to be treated as an object and to be reduced to simple historical terms. It is the affirmation of a nature common to all men, which eludes the world of power.

Suffering gives us no special rights.

Where would his torture be, indeed, if at every step the hope of succeeding upheld him?

At a certain level of suffering or injustice no one can do anything for anyone. Pain is solitary.

Heroism is accessible. Happiness is more difficult.

But do you know why we are always more just and generous toward the dead? The reason is simple. With them there is no obligation. They leave us free and we can take our time, fit the testimonial between a cocktail party and a nice little mistress, in our spare time, in short.