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.

A high degree of intellect tends to make a man unsocial.

Consciousness makes the individual careful to maintain his own existence; and if this were not so, there would be no surety for the preservation of the species. From all this it is clear that individuality is not a form of perfection, but rather a limitation; and so to be freed from it is not loss but gain.

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

Genius and madness have something in common: both live in a world that is different from that which exists for everyone else.

Whatever torch we kindle, and whatever space it may illuminate, our horizon will always remain encircled by the depth of night.

Pride is generally censured and decried, but mainly by those who have nothing to be proud of.