The earth is like the breasts of a woman: useful as well as pleasing.

When one has finished building one's house, one suddenly realizes that in the process one has learned something that one really needed to know in the worst way - before one began.

Idleness is the parent of psychology.

All names of good and evil are images; they do not speak out, they only hint. He is a fool who seeks knowledge from them.

If you wish to understand a philosopher, do not ask what he says, but find out what he wants

One receives as reward for much ennui, despondency, boredom -such as a solitude without friends, books, duties, passions must bring with it -those quarter-hours of profoundest contemplation within oneself and nature. He who completely entrenches himself against boredom also entrenches himself against himself: he will never get to drink the strongest refreshing draught from his own innermost fountain.

You lovers of knowledge! So what have you done out of your love of knowledge up to now? Have you already stolen and murdered so as to know how a thief and a murderer feels?