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.

An attack on the roots of passion means an attack on the roots of life.

My brother, are war and battle evil? Necessary, however, is the evil; necessary are the envy and the distrust and the back-biting among the virtues.

The way to transmute your iron duty into gold in everyone's eyes is this: always deliver more than you promise.

From the State the exceptional individual cannot expect much. He is seldom benefited by being taken into its service; the only certain advantage it can give him is complete independence. Only real culture will prevent him being too early tired out or used up, and will spare him the exhausting struggle against culture-philistinism.

There is no more dreary or more repulsive creature than the man who has evaded his genius.

The sick woman especially: no one surpasses her in refinements for ruling, oppressing, tyrannising.