He who possesses greatness is cruel towards his secondary virtues and considerations.

What is life? A continuous praise and blame.

Jesus died too soon. If he had lived to my age he would have repudiated his doctrine.

All I need is a sheet of paper and something to write with, and then I can turn the world upside down.

This is the fundamental idea of culture, insofar as it sets but one task for each of us: to further the production of the philosopher, of the artist, and of the saint within us and outside us, and thereby to work at the consummation of nature.

We grow hostile to many an artist or writer, not because we finally come to see he has deceived us, but because he thought no subtler means were required to ensnare us.

A nation usually renews its youth on a political sick-bed, and there finds again the spirit which it had gradually lost in seeking and maintaining power.