The value of many men and books rests solely on their faculty for compelling all to seek out the most hidden and intimate things.

Nothing is beautiful, only man: on this piece of naivete rests all aesthetics, it is the first truth of aesthetics. Let us immediately add its second: nothing is ugly but degenerate man - the domain of aesthetic judgment is therewith defined.

Pity makes suffering contagious.

Having a talent is not enough: one must also have your permission to have it--right, my friends?

Without the perpetual counterfeiting of the universe by number, man could not continue to live

I go in solitude, so as not to drink out of everybody's cistern. When I am among the many I live as the many do, and I do not think I really think; after a time it always seems as if they want to banish myself from myself and rob me of my soul.

What is the seal of liberation? Not to be ashamed in front of oneself.