Mathematics would certainly have not come into existence if one had known from the beginning that there was in nature no exactly straight line, no actual circle, no absolute magnitude.

Of what is great one must either be silent or speak with greatness. With greatness--that means cynically and with innocence.

Whatever we think about and question a lot becomes questionable.

The apprentice and the master love the master in different ways.

Yet for all that, there is nothing in me of a founder of a religion--religions are affairs of the rabble; I find it necessary to wash my hands after I have come into contact with religious people.

It is only possible through the fact that sympathy for the general life and suffering of mankind is very weakly developed in the individual.

We only hear questions that we are able to answer.