I am a misanthrope yet utterly benevolent.

For my part, I wish all guns with their belongings and everything could be sent to hell, which is the proper place for their exhibition and use.

Perhaps my dynamite plants will put an end to war sooner than your [pacifist] congresses. On the day two army corps can annihilate each other in one second all civilized nations will recoil from war in horror.

A recluse without books and ink is already in life a dead man.

Contentment is the only real wealth.

It is not sufficient to be worthy of respect in order to be respected.

The savants will write excellent volumes. There will be laureates. But wars will continue just the same until the forces of the circumstances render them impossible.