At the bottom of the modern man there is always a great thirst for self-forgetfulness, self-distraction . . . and therefore he turns away from all those problems and abysses which might recall to him his own nothingness.

The immense majority of our species are candidates for humanity, and nothing more.

To live we must conquer incessantly, we must have the courage to be happy.

The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides. Accept life, and you must accept regret.

Cleverness is serviceable for everything, sufficient for nothing.

Obstinacy is will asserting itself without being able to justify itself. It is persistence without a reasonable motive. It is the tenacity of self-love substituted for that of reason and conscience.

Philosophy starts with doubt and loves only truth.