Physiologists should think before putting down the instinct of self-preservation as the cardinal instinct of an organic being. A living thing seeks above all to discharge its strength--life itself is will to power; self-preservation is only one of the indirect and most frequent results.

The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.

Our treasure lies in the beehive of our knowledge. We are perpetually on the way thither, being by nature winged insects and honey gatherers of the mind.

A nation is a detour of nature to arrive at five or six great men- yes, and then to get around them.

One who has a why can endure anyhow.

It is the powerful who know how to honour, it is their art, their domain for invention.

The most unequivocal sign of contempt for man is to regard everybody merely as a means to one's own ends, or of no account whatever.