The beast in us must be[78] wheedled: ethic is necessary, that we may not be torn to pieces.

Forgetting: that is a divine capacity. And whoever aspires to the heights and wants to fly must cast off much that is heavy and make himself light--I call it a divine capacity for lightness.

I can still stand on life's narrowest footing: but who would I be were I to show you this art. Would you like to see a ropedancer?

At the beginning of a marriage ask yourself whether this woman will be interesting to talk to from now until old age. Everything else in marriage is transitory: most of the time is spent in conversation.

Glance into the world just as though time were gone: and everything crooked will become straight to you.

One who is publicly honest about himself ends up by priding himself somewhat on this honesty: for he knows only too well why he is honest-for the same reasons another person prefers illusion and dissimulation.

How can anyone become a thinker unless he spends at least a third of every day away from passions, people, and books?