Illusions are certainly expensive amusements; but the destruction of illusions is still more expensive, if looked upon as an amusement, as it undoubtedly is by some people.

There is one thing one has to have either a soul that is cheerful by nature, or a soul made cheerful by work, love, art, and knowledge.

One must cease letting oneself be eaten when one tastes best: that is known to those who want to be loved long.

Never to read another book that was born and baptized (with ink) at the same time.

What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.

Indeed, what forces us at all to suppose that there is an essential opposition of 'true' and 'false'? Is it not sufficient to assume degrees of apparentness and, as it were, lighter and darker shadows and shades of appearance- different 'values', to use the language of painters?

Belief in truth begins with doubting all that has hitherto been believed to be true.