I climb upon the highest mountains, laughing at all tragedies - whether real or imaginary.

Pity makes suffering contagious.

Creating-that is the great salvation from suffering.

Pain makes hens and poets cackle.

Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man.

For those who need consolation - no means of consolation is so effective as the assertion that in their case no consolation is possible: it implies so great a degree of distinction that they at once hold up their heads again.