A high civilization is a pyramid: it can stand only on a broad base; its primary prerequisite is a strong and soundly consolidated mediocrity.

Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called 'Ego'.

Arrogance on the part of the meritorious is even more offensive to us than the arrogance of those without merit: for merit itself is offensive.

I am too inquisitive, too skeptical, too arrogant, to let myself be satisfied with an obvious and crass solution of things. God is such an obvious and crass solution; a solution which is a sheer indelicacy to us thinkers - at bottom He is really nothing but a coarse commandment against us: ye shall not think!

It is the privilege of greatness to confer intense happiness with insignificant gifts.

Systems of morals are only a sign-language of the emotions.

However closely people are attached to one another, their mutual horizon nonetheless includes all four compass directions, and nowand again they notice it.