The tragedy is that we cannot believe the dogmas of religion and metaphysics if we have the strict methods of truth in heart and head, but on the other hand, we have become through the development of humanity so tenderly suffering that we need the highest kind of means of salvation and consolation: whence arises the danger that man may bleed to death through the truth that he realises.

He who has always spared himself much will in the end become sickly of so much consideration. Praised be what hardens!

Once spirit was God, then it became man, and now it is even becoming mob.

Be generous in nature and thought; for this wins respect and gives confidence and power.

Perhaps man will rise ever higher as soon as he ceases to flow out into a god.

Nobody can build the bridge for you to walk across the river of life, no one but you yourself alone. There are, to be sure, countless paths and bridges and demi-gods which would carry you across this river; but only at the cost of yourself; you would pawn yourself and lose. There is in the world only one way, on which nobody can go, except you: where does it lead? Do not ask, go along with it.

We belong to an age whose culture is in danger of perishing through the means to culture.