There are two types of genius; one which above all begets and wants to beget, and another which prefers being fertilized and giving birth.

When an idea is just rising on the horizon, the soul's temperature with respect to it is usually very cold. Only gradually does the idea develop its warmth, and it is hottest (which is to say, exerting its greatest influence) when belief in the idea is already once again in decline.

Exhaustion is the shortest way to equality and fraternity.

You know these things as thoughts, but your thoughts are not your experiences, they are an echo and after-effect of your experiences: as when your room trembles whe na carriage goes past. I however am sitting in the carriage, and often I am the carriage itself. Ina man who thinks like this, the dichotomy between thinking and feeling, intellect and passion, has really disappeared. He feels his thoughts. He can fall in love with an idea. An idea can make him ill.

I will believe in the Redeemer when the Christians look a little more redeemed.

Every god-man created his own god: and there is no worse enmity on earth than that between gods.

I have not the capability to give you my loyalty, nor do I have the vanity to appear as if I did.