A thing can only live through a pious illusion.

The errors of great men are venerable because they are more fruitful than the truths of little men.

The aphorism, the apothegm, in which I am the first among the Germans to be a master, are the forms of “eternity”; it is my ambition to say in ten sentences what everyone else says in a book — what everyone else does not say in a book.

I love him who reserveth no share of spirit for himself, but wanteth to be wholly the spirit of his virtue: thus walketh he as spirit over the bridge.

The same passions in man and woman nonetheless differ in tempo; hence man and woman do not cease misunderstanding one another.

Everything good is instinct--and, as a result, easy, necessary, free.

We are terrified by the idea of being terrified.