Since men do not really respect anything unless it was established long ago and has developed slowly over time, those who want tokeep on living after their death must take worry not only about their future generations but even more about their past: that is why tyrants of all kinds (including tyrannical artists and politicians) like to do violence to history, so that it will appear as a preparation and stepladder to themselves.

To die proudly when it is no longer possible to live proudly. Death of one's own free choice, death at the proper time, with a clear head and with joyfulness, consummated in the midst of children and witnesses: so that an actual leave-taking is possible while he who is leaving is still there.

Brave people may be persuaded to an action by representing it as being more dangerous than it really is.

I have not come to know atheism as a result of logical reasoning and still less as an event in my life: in me it is a matter of instinct.

If there were gods, how could I endure not to be a god? Therefore there are no gods.

Body am I entirely, and nothing else; and soul is only a word for something about the body.

Be careful who you choose as your enemy because that's who you become most like.