I believe only in French culture and consider everything in Europe that calls itself 'culture' a misunderstanding, not to speak of German culture.

Men seldom persevere in a vocation unless they believe or can convince themselves that it is fundamentally more important than anyother calling. Women are the same with their lovers.

Belief in truth begins with doubting all that has hitherto been believed to be true.

The same passions in man and woman nonetheless differ in tempo; hence man and woman do not cease misunderstanding one another.

"State," I call it, where they all drink poison, the good and the wicked; "state," where they all lose themselves, the good and the wicked; "state," where they all call their slow suicide-"life."

A thought comes when it will, not when I will.

Every profound spirit needs a mask: even more, around every profound spirit a mask is continually growing.