The aphorism, the apothegm, in which I am the first among the Germans to be a master, are the forms of “eternity”; it is my ambition to say in ten sentences what everyone else says in a book — what everyone else does not say in a book.

At the bottom of all these noble races the beast of prey, the splendid blond beast, prowling about avidly in search of spoil and victory.

As a result, nature is something entirely different from what comes to mind when we invoke its name.

There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy.

Today I love myself as I love my god: who could charge me with a sin today? I know only sins against my god; but who knows my god?

One has to know the size of one's stomach.

Sharp and mild, dull and keen, well known and strange, dirty and clean, where both the fool and wise are seen: All this am I, have ever been, - in me dove, snake and swine convene!