I care little in the existence of a heaven or hell; self respect does not allow me to guide my acts with an eye toward heavenly salvation or hellish punishment. I pursue the good in life because it is beautiful and attracts me; and shun the bad because it is ugly and repulsive. All our acts should originate from the spring of unselfish love, whether there be a continuation after death or not.

Whatever tears one may shed, in the end one always blows one's nose.

It is extremely difficult for a Jew to be converted, for how can he bring himself to believe in the divinity of - another Jew?

God has given us speech in order that we may say pleasant things to our friends, and tell bitter truths to our enemies.

With his nightcaps and the tatters of his dressing-gown he patches up the gaps in the structure of the universe.

God will forgive me. It's his job." Heine said this on his deathbed (1856). Hilarious. He must have thought that up years before and counted the seconds to use it.

Newness hath an evanescent beauty.