Over immense periods of time the intellect produced nothing but errors. A few of these proved to be useful and helped to preserve the species: those who hit upon or inherited these had better luck in their struggle for themselves and their progeny. Such erroneous articles of faith... include the following: that there are things, substances, bodies; that a thing is what it appears to be; that our will is free; that what is good for me is also good in itself.

One must give value to their existence by behaving as if ones very existence were a work of art.

There are slavish souls who carry their appreciation for favors done them so far that they strangle themselves with the rope of gratitude.

THE SLOW ARROW OF BEAUTY. The noblest kind of beauty is that which does not transport us suddenly, which does not make stormy and intoxicating impressions such a kind easily arouses disgust but that which slowly filters into our minds.

A man unconsciously imagines that where he is strong, where he feels most thoroughly alive, the element of his freedom must lie.

People who feel insecure in social situations never miss a chance to exhibit their dominance over close, submissive friends, whomthey put down publicly, in front of everyone--by teasing, for example.

Live dangerously. Build your cities on the slopes of Vesuvius.