Since Copernicus, man seems to have got himself on an inclined plane-now he is slipping faster and faster away from the center into-what? into nothingness? into a 'penetrating sense of his nothingness?' ... all science, natural as well as unnatural-which is what I call the self-critique of knowledge-has at present the object of dissuading man from his former respect for himself, as if this had been but a piece of bizarre conceit.

The scaffolding must be removed once the house is built.

All idealism is falsehood in the face of necessity.

One pays dearly for being immortal: one must die many times during his life.

Many are obstinate with regard to the pathway once they have set upon it, few with regard to the goal.

The person lives most beautifully who does not reflect upon existence

What do I care about the purring of one who cannot love, like the cat?