I do not know what the spirit of a philosopher could more wish to be than a good dancer. For the dance is his ideal, also his fine art, finally also the only kind of piety he knows, his 'divine service.'

Whoever is related to me in the height of his aspirations will experience veritable ecstasies of learning; for I come from heights that no bird ever reached in its flight, I know abysses into which no foot ever strayed.

Those who know that they are profound strive for clarity. Those who would like to seem profound to the crowd strive for obscurity. For the crowd believes that if it cannot see to the bottom of something it must be profound. It is so timid and dislikes going into the water.

To have to fight the instincts - that is the definition of decadence: as long as life is ascending, happiness equals instinct.

Time flies apace-we would fain believe that everything flies forward with it.

Human life is inexplicable, and still without meaning: a fool may decide its fate.

Error has made animals into men; is truth in a position to make men into animals again?