The swan, like the soul of the poet, By the dull world is ill understood.

Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid

He who fights with priests may make up his mind to have his poor good name torn and befouled by the most infamous lies and the most cutting slanders.

Woman is at once apple and serpent.

Life is the greatest of blessings and death the worst of evils.... all great, powerful souls love life.

That was only the beginning - where one burns books, one will finally also burn people.

Out of my own great woe I make my little songs.