It is not what things are objectively and in themselves, but what they are for us, in our way of looking at them, that makes us happy or the reverse.

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.

It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.

The majority of men... are not capable of thinking, but only of believing, and... are not accessible to reason, but only to authority.

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.

A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.

Man is the only animal who causes pain to others with no other object than wanting to do so.

Genius and madness have something in common: both live in a world that is different from that which exists for everyone else.

A pessimist is an optimist in full possession of the facts.

Religions are like fireflies. They require darkness in order to shine.

Nature shows that with the growth of intelligence comes increased capacity for pain, and it is only with the highest degree of intelligence that suffering reaches its supreme point.

Nature and man are opposed in Spain.

METAPHOR: A tightly fitting suit of metal, generally tin, which entirely encloses the wearer, both impeding free movement and preventing emotional expression and/or social contact.

If you learn from defeat, you haven't really lost.

I can't go on. I'll go on.

Am I complicated? Nah, I'm interesting. I just like having a good time.

And if I can take part in it by transforming my own consciousness, then someone else's, I'm happy to do it.

Everyone of them words rang true and glowed like burning coal, pouring off every page like it was written in my soul from me to you.

We can't allow ouselves to be depresses or discouraged. There are people who depend on us, things to accomplish. We only have a little bit of time in this world before death swallows us up.

My father felt that his world of ideas was too liberal for traditional rabbinical teachings, and he looked for a chance to find a way in life.

Let us face ourselves bravely as we are. For only a philosophy that recognizes reality can lead us into true happiness, and only that kind of philosophy is sound and healthy.