There are preachers of death: and the earth is full of those to whom desistance from life must be preached.

Posthumous men-myself, for example-are not as well understood as timely ones, but we are listened to better. More precisely: we are never understood-hence our authority.

He who cannot command himself should obey. And many can command themselves, but much is still lacking before they can obey themselves.

It is some fundamental certainty which a noble soul has about itself, something which is not to be sought, is not to be found, and perhaps, also, is not to be lost. The noble soul has reverence for itself.

What makes one heroic? - Going out to meet at the same time one's highest suffering and one's highest hope.

For both parties in a controversy, the most disagreeable way of retaliating is to be vexed and silent; for the aggressor usually regards the silence as a sign of contempt.

you must be ready to burn yourself in your own flame; how could you rise anew if you have not first become ashes?