We ought to fear a man who hates himself, for we are at risk of becoming victims of his anger and revenge. Let us then try to lure him into self-love.

How poisonous, how crafty, how bad, does every long war make one, which cannot be waged openly by means of force!

That lies should be necessary to life is part and parcel of the terrible and questionable character of existence.

Man is very well defended against himself... The actual fortress is inaccessible, even invisible to him, unless his friends and enemies play the traitor and conduct him in by a secret path.

In order to acquire intellect one must need it. One loses it when it is no longer necessary.

In solitude the lonely man is eaten up by himself, among crowds by the many.

When self control is lacking in small things, the ability to apply it to matters of importance withers away. Every day in which one does not at least deny himself some trifle is badly spent and a threat to the day following.