Memory says, 'I did that.' Pride replies, 'I could not have done that.' Eventually, memory yields.

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

Early in the morning, at break of day, in all the freshness and dawn of one's strength, to read a book -I call that vicious!

The earth has become small, and on it hops the last man, who makes everything small. His race can no more be exterminated than the flea can be. The last man lives the longest.

An artist chooses his subjects: that is the way he praises.

They're so cold, these scholars! May lightning strike their food so that their mouths learn how to eat fire!

One should adpot only those situations in which one is in no need of sham virtues, but rather, like the tight-rope dancer on his tight rope, in which one must either fall or stand--or escape.