The destiny of mankind is arranged for happy moments every life has such but not for happy times.

Every profound spirit needs a mask: even more, around every profound spirit a mask is continually growing.

I climb upon the highest mountains, laughing at all tragedies - whether real or imaginary.

What, if some day or night a demon were to steal after you into your loneliest loneliness and say to you: 'This life as you now live it and have lived it, you will have to live once more and innumerable times more' ... Would you not throw yourself down and gnash your teeth and curse the demon who spoke thus? Or have you once experienced a tremendous moment when you would have answered him: 'You are a god and never have I heard anything more divine.

The future influences the present just as much as the past.

Man, a hybrid of plant and ghost.

Gradually it has become clear to me what every great philosophy so far has been: namely, the personal confession of its author and a kind of involuntary and unconscious memoir.