Only strong personalities can endure history, the weak are extinguished by it.

love as a passion—it is our European specialty—must absolutely be of noble origin; as is well known, its invention is due to the Provencal poet-cavaliers, those brilliant, ingenious men of the "gai saber," to whom Europe owes so much, and almost owes itself.

The preponderance of pain over pleasure is the cause of our fictitious morality and religion.

This demand follows from an insight that I was the first to articulate: that there are no moral facts.

When you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.

This tremendous event is still on its way, still wandering; it has not yet reached the ears of men. Lightning and thunder require time; the light on the stars requires time; deeds though done, still require time to be seen and heard. This deed is still more distant from them than the most distant stars - and yet they have done it themselves.

One never dives into the water to save a drowning man more eagerly than when there are others present who dare not take the risk.