The most intelligent men, like the strongest, find their happiness where others would find only disaster: in the labyrinth, in being hard with themselves and with others, in effort; their delight is self-mastery; in them asceticism becomes second nature, a necessity, as instinct.

Those with certain temperaments find no way to endure themselves except by striving towards going under.

I love something: and scarcely do I love it completely when the tyrant in me says: "I want that in sacrifice." This cruelty is in my entrails. Behold! I am evil.

Those who cannot understand how to put their thoughts on ice should not enter into the heat of debate.

When one does away with oneself one does the most estimable thing possible: one thereby almost deserves to live.

I can still stand on life's narrowest footing: but who would I be were I to show you this art. Would you like to see a ropedancer?

What separates two people most profoundly is a different sense and degree of cleanliness.