An attack on the roots of passion means an attack on the roots of life.

A nation is a detour of nature to arrive at five or six great men- yes, and then to get around them.

It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.

Mystical explanations are thought to be deep; the truth is that they are not even shallow.

Not necessity, not desire - no, the love of power is the demon of men. Let them have everything - health, food, a place to live, entertainment - they are and remain unhappy and low-spirited: for the demon waits and waits and will be satisfied.

One man runs to his neighbor because he is looking for himself, and another because he wants to loose himself. Your bad love of yourselves makes solitude a prison for you.

We grow hostile to many an artist or writer, not because we finally come to see he has deceived us, but because he thought no subtler means were required to ensnare us.