All things that are truly great are at first thought impossible.

It is with artworks as it is with wine: it is much better when we do not need either one, when we stick with water, and when out of our own inner fire, the inner sweetness of our own soul, we turn the water over and over again into wine ourselves.

There is a universal need to exercise some kind of power, or to create for one's self the appearance of some power, if only temporarily, in the form of intoxication.

But this word will I say to my enemies: What is all manslaughter in comparison with what you have done to me!

Close beside my knowledge lies my black ignorance.

I understand by 'freedom of spirit' something quite definite - the unconditional will to say No, where it is dangerous to say No.

Scholars who become politicians are usually assigned the comic role of having to be the good conscience of state policy.