The problem of culture is seldom grasped correctly. The goal of a culture is not the greatest possible happiness of a people, noris it the unhindered development of all their talents; instead, culture shows itself in the correct proportion of these developments. Its aim points beyond earthly happiness: the production of great works is the aim of culture.

I speak and the child plays: who can be more serious than we are?

All words are prejudices.

The usual false conclusions of mankind are these: a thing exists, therefore it has a right to exist.

In the end we are always rewarded for our good will, our patience, fair-mindedness, and gentleness with what is strange.

I love the valiant; but it is not enough to wield a broadsword, one must also know against whom.

To use the same words is not a sufficient guarantee of understanding; one must use the same words for the same genus of inward experience; ultimately one must have one's experiences in common.