To give space when what one most yearns for is closeness, that is both the great test and great tragedy of love.

The point is not for women simply to take power out of men’s hands, since that wouldn’t change anything about the world. It’s a question precisely of destroying that notion of power.

No one is more arrogant toward women, more aggressive or scornful, than the man who is anxious about his virility.

Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay.

I am too intelligent, too demanding, and too resourceful for anyone to be able to take charge of me entirely. No one knows me or loves me completely. I have only myself

One's life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.

All oppression creates a state of war.

To be free is not to have the power to do anything you like; it is to be able to surpass the given toward an open future.

When women act like women, they are accused of being inferior. When women act like human beings, they are accused of behaving like men.

I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth - and truth rewarded me.

When I was a child, when I was an adolescent, books saved me from despair: that convinced me that culture was the highest of values[...].

Had I not created my whole world, I would certainly have died in other people’s.

The working of great institutions is mainly the result of a vast mass of routine, petty malice, self interest, carelessness and sheer mistake. Only a residual fraction is thought.

People like to tear you down. People are always going to take shots. You've just got to go for it.

The man whose only pleasure in life is making money, weighs less on the moral scale than an angleworm.

Friends are just enemies who don't have enough guts to kill you.

Without courage you cannot practice any of the other virtues.

Whatever shall we do in that remote spot? Well, we will write our memoirs. Work is the scythe of time.

Power! Did you ever hear of men being asked whether other souls should have power or not? It is born in them.

Its always fantastic to be on the podium, and, of course, the top step is always our target.