Those who are too lazy and comfortable to think for themselves and be their own judges obey the laws. Others sense their own laws within them.

To study history means submitting to chaos and nevertheless retaining faith in order and meaning.

Because the world is so full of death and horror, I try again and again to console my heart and pick the flowers that grow in the midst of hell.

You have no doubt guessed long since that the conquest of time and the escape from reality, or however else it may be that you choose to describe your longing, means simply the wish to be relieved of your so-called personality. That is the prison where you lie.

I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.

Each man's life represents a road toward himself.

All the women of this fevered night, all that I had danced with, all whom I had kindled or who have kindled me, all whom I had courted, all who had clung to me with longing, all whom I had followed with enraptured eyes were melted together and had become one, the one whom I held in my arms.