So long as man remains free he strives for nothing so incessantly and so painfully as to find someone to worship.

There is nothing more alluring to man than freedom of conscience, but neither is there anything more agonizing.

Know that I've forgotten precisely nothing; but I've driven it all out of my head for a time, even the memories--until I've radically improved my circumstances. Then...then you'll see, I'll rise from the dead!

But man is so addicted to systems and to abstract conclusions that he is prepared deliberately to distort the truth, to close his eyes and ears, but justify his logic at all cost.

Man is stupid, phenomenally stupid.

...it all, maybe, most likely, indeed, might turn out for the best.

... you can never be sure of what has passed between husband and wife or lover and mistress.