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

Christianity has done its utmost to close the circle and declared even doubt to be sin. One is supposed to be cast into belief without reason, by a miracle, and from then on to swim in it as in the brightest and least ambiguous of elements: even a glance towards land, even the thought that one perhaps exists for something else as well as swimming, even the slightest impulse of our amphibious nature

Christianity, alcohol the two great means of corruption.

A little poison now and then: that makes for pleasant dreams. And a lot of poison at the end, for a pleasant death.

Life is fountain of joy; but where the rabble also gather to drink, all wells are poisoned.

...one can speak with the utmost clearness, and yet not be heard by anyone.

I too have been in the underworld, as was Odysseus, and I will often be there again; not only sheep have I sacrificed so as to beable to speak with a few dead souls, but neither have I spared my own blood as well.