Civilization merely develops man's capacity for a greater variety of sensations, and ... absolutely nothing else.

Man is unhappy because he doesn't know he's happy. If anyone finds out he'll become happy at once.

Nothing could be more absurd than moral lessons at such a moment! Oh, self-satisfied people: with what proud self-satisfaction such babblers are ready to utter their pronouncements! If they only knew to what degree I myself understand all the loathsomeness of my present condition, they wouldn't have the heart to teach me.

Break what must be broken, once for all, that's all, and take the suffering on oneself.

Lying is a delightful thing, for it leads to truth.

The world says: "You have needs - satisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don't hesitate to satisfy your needs; indeed, expand your needs and demand more." This is the worldly doctrine of today. And they believe that this is freedom. The result for the rich is isolation and suicide, for the poor, envy and murder.

Power is only vouchsafed to the man who dares to stoop and pick it up. There is only one thing, one thing needful: one has only to dare!