I say that man is entitled to his own happiness and that he must achieve it himself. But that he cannot demand that others give up their lives to make him happy.

In order to deal with reality successfully - to pursue and achieve the values which his life requires - man needs self-esteem; he needs to be confident of his efficacy and worth.

That which is not worth contemplating in life, is not worth recreating in art.

I refuse to accept as guilt the fact of my own existence.

I am not primarily an advocate of capitalism, but of egoism; I am not primarily an advocate of egoism, but of reason. If one recognizes the supremacy of reason and applies it consistently, all the rest follows.

If one doesn't respect oneself one can have neither love nor respect for others.

It is not death that we wish to avoid, but life that we wish to live.