At times one remains faithful to a cause only because its opponents do not cease to be insipid.

Mediocrity is the most effective mask a superior spirit can wear, because to the great majority, which is to say, to the mediocre,it will not suggest a disguise:--and yet it is precisely for their sake that he puts it on--so as not to arouse them, and, indeed, not infrequently to avoid this out of pity and benevolence.

Supposing truth is a woman -- what then?

The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends.

One can promise actions, but not feelings, for the latter are involuntary. He who promises to love forever or hate forever or be forever faithful to someone is promising something that is not in his power.

Inaction, letting be, neither creating nor destroying--that is my evil. And also the knower as one without desire.

My abyss speaks, I have turned my ultimate depth inside out into the light.