Strong hope is a much greater stimulant of life than any single realised joy could be.

How do you expect to learn to dance when you have not even learned to walk! And above the dancer is still the flyer and his bliss.

Thus the will to power strives towards oppositions, towards displeasure. There is a will to suffering at the foundation of all organic life (contrary to "happiness" as "goal").

Art is the highest task and the proper metaphysical activity of this life.

Mothers easily become jealous of their sons' friends when they are particularly successful. As a rule a mother loves herself in her son more than she does the son himself.

The Germans are like women, you can scarcely ever fathom their depths - they haven't any.

But not to perish from internal distress and doubt when one inflicts great suffering and hears the cry of suffering : that is great, that belongs to greatness.