I do not know the meaning of my sadness; there is an old fairy tale that I cannot get out of my mind.

All special charters of freedom must be abrogated where the universal law of freedom is to flourish.

Religion cannot sink lower than when somehow it is raised to a state religion ... It becomes then an avowed mistress.

First, I thought, almost despairing, This must crush my spirit now; Yet I bore it, and am bearing- Only do not ask me how.

In dark ages people are best guided by religion, as in a pitch-black night a blind man is the best guide; he knows the roads and paths better than a man who can see. When daylight comes, however, it is foolish to use blind, old men as guides.

Whenever books are burned, men also in the end are burned.

Every age thinks its battle the most important of all.