There is a certain right by which we many deprive a man of life, but none by which we may deprive him of death; this is mere cruelty.

It is certainly not the least charm of a theory that it is refutable; it is precisely thereby that it attracts the more subtle minds. It seems that the hundred-times-refuted theory of the "free will" owes its persistence to this charm alone; some one is always appearing who feels himself strong enough to refute it.

The truth is ugly: we have art so as not to perish from the truth.

Religious War has signified the greatest advance of the masses so far, for it proves that the masses have begun to treat concepts with respect.

Life without music is only error, exhaustion, exile... Indeed, there is nothing that concerns me more than the fate of music.

Only ideas won by walking have any value.

Illusions are certainly expensive amusements; but the destruction of illusions is still more expensive, if looked upon as an amusement, as it undoubtedly is by some people.