Man shows his character best in trifles.

Life is a constant process of dying.

Any foolish boy can stamp on a beetle, but all the professors in the world cannot make a beetle.

Ist es an und fu? r sich absurd, das Nichtsein fu? r einUbel zu ? halten; da jedes Ubel wie jedes Gut das Dasein zur Voraussetzung hat, ja sogar das Bewusstsein. It is in and by itself absurd to regard non-existence as an evil; for every evil, like every good, presupposes existence, indeed even consciousness.

The real meaning of persona is a mask, such as actors were accustomed to wear on the ancient stage; and it is quite true that no one shows himself as he is, but wears his mask and plays his part. Indeed, the whole of our social arrangements may be likened to a perpetual comedy; and this is why a man who is worth anything finds society so insipid, while a blockhead is quite at home in it.

A man of business will often deceive you without the slightest scruple, but he will absolutely refuse to commit a theft.

To be alone is the fate of all great minds—a fate deplored at times, but still always chosen as the less grievous of two evils.