There is no more dreary or more repulsive creature than the man who has evaded his genius.

When somebody dies we usually need reasons for consolation, not so much to alleviate our pain as to excuse ourselves for so readily feeling consoled.

one does not only wish to be understood when one writes; one wishes just as surely not to be understood.

One has to pay dearly for immortality; one has to die several times while one is still alive.

I am a law only for my kind, I am no law for all.

We attack not only to hurt someone, to defeat him, but perhaps also simply to become conscious of our own strength.

To explore the whole sphere of the modern soul, to have sat in every nook- my ambition, my torture, and my happiness