Here is a hero who did nothing but shake the tree as soon as the fruit was ripe. Does this seem to be too small a thing to you? Then take a good look at the tree he shook.
Heroism – that is the disposition of a man who aspires to a goal compared to which he himself is wholly insignificant. Heroism is the good will to self-destruction.
In being wildly natural we recover best from being unnatural, from being spiritual.
You highest men whom I have ever seen! This is my suspicion about you and my secret laughter: I guess that you would call my superman – a devil!
When our brain feels too weak to deal with our opponent’s objections, our heart answers by casting suspicion on their underlying motives.
He who humbles himself wants to be exalted.
Learn to laugh at yourselves as one must laugh!
You must be born for your physician, otherwise you are bound to perish because of your physician.
The most dangerous physicians are those born actors who imitate born physicians with a perfectly deceptive guile.
When one thinks profusely and cleverly, not only his face but his body too takes on a clever appearance.
Asceticism is the right way of thinking for those who have to extirpate their sensual drives because they are ravening beasts of prey. But only for those!
Inaction, letting be, neither creating nor destroying – that is my evil. And also the knower as one without desire.
Fathers have a lot to do to make up for having sons.
A man who whinnies with noisy laughter, surpasses all the animals in vulgarity.
Laughter means: taking a mischievous delight in someone else’s uneasiness, but with a good conscience.
What does it matter whether I am shown to be right! I am right too much! – And he who laughs best today will also laugh last.
The moment Germany rises as a great power, France gains a new importance as a cultural power.
The good displeases us when we are not up to it.
Everything good is instinct – and, as a result, easy, necessary, free.
Lift up your hearts, my brothers, high, higher! And don’t forget about your legs either! Lift up your legs as well, you good dancers, and better yet – stand also on your heads!