The value of life itself cannot be estimated.

One who is publicly honest about himself ends up by priding himself somewhat on this honesty: for he knows only too well why he is honest-for the same reasons another person prefers illusion and dissimulation.

Our salvation lies not in knowing, but in creating!

The bite of conscience, like the bite of a dog into a stone, is a stupidity.

Man demands truth and fulfills this demand in moral intercourse with other men; this is the basis of all social life. One anticipates the unpleasant consequences of reciprocal lying. From this there arises the duty of truth. We permit epic poets to lie because we expect no detrimental consequences in this case. Thus the lie is permitted where it is considered something pleasant. Assuming that it does no harm, the lie is beautiful and charming.

Weariness is the shortest path to equality and fraternity-and finally liberty is bestowed by sleep.

We pay dearly for immortality: we die for it more than once during our lifetimes.