Maturity is the ability to postpone gratification.

A certain degree of neurosis is of inestimable value as a drive, especially to a psychologist.

Whoever loves becomes humble. Those who love have, so to speak, pawned a part of their narcissism.

As regards intellectual work it remains a fact, indeed, that great decisions in the realm of thought and momentous discoveries and solutions of problems are only possible to an individual, working in solitude.

The world is no nursery.

It is impossible to overlook the extent to which civilization is built upon a renunciation of instinct.

Our possibilities of happiness are already restricted by our constitution. Unhappiness is much less difficult to experience. We are threatened with suffering from three directions: from our own body, which is doomed to decay and dissolution and which cannot even do without pain and anxiety as warning signals; from the external world, which may rage against us with overwhelming and merciless forces of destruction; and finally from our relations to other men. The suffering which comes from this last source is perhaps more painful to us than any other.