Science ... has no consideration for ultimate purposes, any more than Nature has, but just as the latter occasionally achieves things of the greatest suitableness without intending to do so, so also true science, as the imitator of nature in ideas, will occasionally and in many ways further the usefulness and welfare of man,-but also without intending to do so.

In order to be somebody you have to hold even your shadow in high regard.

One day soon you will meet a man, and he will rise like a phoenix from the ashes, and it is my greatest hope that he will not give you syphilis.

One should never know too precisely whom one has married

Most people are far too much occupied with themselves to be malicious.

Nothing has been purchased more dearly than the little bit of reason and sense of freedom which now constitutes our pride.

In certain pious people I have found a hatred of reason, and have been favourably disposed to them for it: their bad intellectual conscience was at least exposed by that!