A man can be himself only so long as he is alone.

Every possession and every happiness is but lent by chance for an uncertain time, and may therefore be demanded back the next hour.

Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability.

Restlessness is the hallmark of existence.

To expect a man to retain everything that he has ever read is like expecting him to carry about in his body everything that he has ever eaten.

Talent is able to achieve what is beyond other people's capacity to achieve, yet not what is beyond their capacity of apprehension; therefore it at once finds its appreciators. The achievement of genius, on the other hand, transcends not only others' capacity of achievement, but also their capacity of apprehension; therefore they do not become immediately aware of it. Talent is like the marksman who hits a target which others cannot reach; genius is like the marksman who hits a target, as far as which others cannot even see.

Every new born being indeed comes fresh and blithe into the new existence, and enjoys it as a free gift: but there is, and can be, nothing freely given. It's fresh existence is paid for by the old age and death of a worn out existence which has perished, but which contained the indestructible seed out of which the new existence has arisen: they are one being.