Genius is answerable only to itself; it is the sole judge of the means, since it alone knows the end; thus genius must consider itself as above the law, for it is the task of genius to remake the law; moreover the man who frees himself from his time and place may take everything, hazard everything, for everything is his by right.

A man may and ought to pride himself more on his will than on his talent.

The boor covers himself, the rich man or the fool adorns himself, and the elegant man gets dressed.

Temperament is the thermometer of character.

It is as absurd to say that a man can't love one woman all the time as it is to say that a violinist needs several violins to play the same piece of music.

Nothing is a greater impediment to being on good terms with others than being ill at ease with yourself.

Death unites as well as separates; it silences all paltry feeling.