Art is not merely an imitation of the reality of nature, but in truth a metaphysical supplement to the reality of nature, placed alongside thereof for its conquest.

Which is it? Is man only a blunder of God? Or is God only a blunder of man?

The relatives of a suicide hold it against him that out of consideration for their reputation he did not remain alive.

Against war one might say that it makes the victor stupid and the vanquished malicious. In its favor, that in producing these two effects it barbarizes, and so makes the combatants more natural. For culture it is a sleep or a wintertime, and man emerges from it stronger for good and for evil.

Whether a man hides his bad qualities and vices or confesses them openly, his vanity wants to gain an advantage by it in both cases: just note how subtly he distinguishes between those he will hide his bad qualities from and those he will face honestly and candidly.

Every profound spirit needs a mask: even more, around every profound spirit a mask is continually growing.

Poets and writers who are in love with the superlative all want to do more than they can.