To regard states of distress in general as an objection, as something which must be abolished is the greatest nonsense on earth; having the most disastrous consequences, fatally stupid - almost as stupid as a wish to abolish bad weather - out of pity for the poor.

Man must be sustained in suffering by a hope so high that no conflict with actuality can dash it-so high, indeed, that no fulfilment can satisfy it: a hope reaching out beyond this world.

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

Perhaps I know best why it is man alone who laughs; he alone suffers so deeply that he had to invent laughter.

One must never have spared oneself, one must have acquired hardness as a habit to be cheerful and in good spirits in the midst of nothing but hard truths.

Every step forward is made at the cost of mental and physical pain to someone.