So then you’re free?’ ‘Yes, I’m free,’ said Karl, and nothing seemed more worthless than his freedom.

Atlas was permitted the opinion that he was at liberty, if he wished, to drop the Earth and creep away; but this opinion was all that he was permitted.

The mediation by the serpent was necessary. Evil can seduce man, but cannot become man.

Follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.

Every word first looks around in every direction before letting itself be written down by me.

I am more uncertain than I ever was; I feel only the power of life. And I am senselessly empty.

That's how it will be, except that in reality, both today and later, one will stand there with a palpable body and a real head, a real forehead, that is, for smiting on with one's hand.