And I despise your books, I despise wisdom and the blessings of this world. It is all worthless, fleeting, illusory, and deceptive, like a mirage. You may be proud, wise, and fine, but death will wipe you off the face of the earth as though you were no more than mice burrowing under the floor, and your posterity, your history, your immortal geniuses will burn or freeze together with the earthly globe.

At the door of every happy person there should be a man with a hammer whose knock would serve as a constant reminder of the existence of unfortunate people.

Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice.

I don't like being successful; the subjects which sit in my head are annoyed and jealous of what has already been written.

What's the use of talking? You can see for yourself that this is a barbarous country; the people have no morals; and the boredom!

Common hypocrites pass themselves off as doves; political and literary hypocrites pose as eagles. But don't be fooled by their eagle-like appearance. These are not eagles, but rats or dogs.

If ever my life can be of any use to you, come and claim it.