Every achievement, every step forward in knowledge, is the consequence of courage, of toughness towards oneself, of sincerity to oneself

In every age the wisest have passed the identical judgment on life: it is worthless.

A philosophical mythology lies concealed in language, which breaks out again at every moment, no matter how cautious we may be.

Whoever thought that he had understood something of me had merely construed something out of me, after his own image.

Be generous in nature and thought; for this wins respect and gives confidence and power.

One who is unassuming in dealing with people exhibits his arrogance all the more strongly in dealing with things (city, state, society, age, mankind). That is his revenge.

The arrogance that accompanies merit offends us even more than the arrogance of people who are lacking in merit: since merit itself offends us.