When a man reaches his maturity in understanding and in years, the feeling comes over him that his father was wrong to beget him.

So far there has been no philosopher in whose hands philosophy has not grown into an apology for knowledge; on this point, at least, every one is an optimist, that the greatest usefulness must be ascribed to knowledge. They are all tyrannized over by logic, and this is optimism in its essence.

I have not the capability to give you my loyalty, nor do I have the vanity to appear as if I did.

Does wisdom perhaps appear on the earth as a raven which is inspired by the smell of carrion?

Not to him who is offensive to us are we most unfair, but to him who doth not concern us at all.

We cannot live without valuing: but we can live without valuing what you value.

To call a thing good not a day longer than it appears to us good, and above all not a day earlier - that is the only way to keep joy pure.