God is a gross answer, an indelicacy against us thinkers- at bottom merely a gross prohibition for us: you shall not think!

All great things must first wear terrifying and monstrous masks, in order to inscribe themselves on the hearts of humanity.

Our faith in others betrays that we would rather have faith in ourselves. Our longing for a friend is our betrayer. And often with our love we want merely to overcome envy. And often we attack and make ourselves enemies, to conceal that we are vulnerable.

He who bestows something great receives no gratitude; for in accepting it the recipient has already been weighed down too much.

Never to read another book that was born and baptized (with ink) at the same time.

The dyed-in-the-wool teacher takes everything seriously only with respect to his students--himself included.

A book calls for pen, ink, and a writing desk; today the rule is that pen, ink, and a writing desk call for a book.