Quote collection
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"A person must have a good memory to keep the promises he has made. A person must have a strong imagination to be able to have pity. So closely is morality tied to the quality of the intellect."
"We have art in order not to die of the truth."
"We must remain as close to the flowers, the grass, and the butterflies as the child is who is not yet so much taller than they are."
"Priests ... these turkey-cocks of God."
"Liberalism is the transformation of mankind into cattle."
"In the end we are always rewarded for our good will, our patience, fair-mindedness, and gentleness with what is strange."
"How lovely it is that there are words and sounds. Are not words and sounds rainbows and illusive bridges between things which are eternally apart?"
"What I really want from Music: That it be cheerful and profound like an afternoon in October."
"If a man wishes to become a hero, then the serpent must first become a dragon: otherwise he lacks his proper enemy."
"What is the seal of liberation? Not to be ashamed in front of oneself."
"Art is the highest task and the proper metaphysical activity of this life."
"To live alone one must be a beast or a god, says Aristotle. Leaving out the third case: one must be both - a philosopher."
"To do great things is difficult; but to command great things is more difficult."
"Only idiots fail to contradict themselves three times a day."
"Remorse.-- Never yield to remorse, but at once tell yourself: remorse would simply mean adding to the first act of stupidity a second."
"Here the ways of men divide. If you wish to strive for peace of soul and happiness, then believe; if you wish to be a disciple of truth, then inquire."
"One should not wish to enjoy where one does not give joy."
"THE TEACHER AS A NECESSARY EVIL. Let us have as few people as possible between the productive minds and the hungry and recipient minds! The middlemen almost unconsciously adulterate the food which they supply. It is because of teachers that so little is learned, and that so badly."
"... art approaches as a saving sorceress, expert at healing. She alone knows how to turn these nauseous thoughts about the horror or absurdity of existence into notions with which one can live."
"Pity makes suffering contagious."