One of the first signs of the beginnings of understanding is the wish to die. This life appears unbearable, another unattainable. One is no longer ashamed of wanting to die; one asks to be moved...

The existence of the writer is an argument against the existence of the soul, for the soul has obviously taken flight from the real ego, but not improved itself, only become a writer.

Atlas was permitted the opinion that he was at liberty, if he wished, to drop the Earth and creep away; but this opinion was all that he was permitted.

Start with what is right rather than what is acceptable.

Suffering is the positive element in this world, indeed it is the only link between this world and the positive.

This inescapable duty to observe oneself: if someone else is observing me, naturally I have to observe myself too; if none observe me, I have to observe myself all the closer

The mediation by the serpent was necessary. Evil can seduce man, but cannot become man.

Every word first looks around in every direction before letting itself be written down by me.

At the same time all the houses round about promptly took part in this silence, and so did the darkness above them, reaching as far as the stars. And the footsteps of invisible passers-by, whose...

I believe that we should only read those books that bite and sting us. If a book does not rouse us with a blow then why read it?

It is comforting to reflect that the disproportion of things in the world seems to be only arithmetical.

It’s often safer to be in chains than to be free

Evil is whatever distracts.

Herr Kafka, essen Sie keine Eier.” (As one and only piece of dialog K recalls from his meeting with Rudolf Steiner – “Mr. Kafka don’t eat eggs.

What’s happened to me,’ he thought. It was no dream.

Alle menschlichen Fehler sind Ungeduld, ein vorzeitiges Abbrechen des Methodischen, ein scheinbares Einpfählen der scheinbaren Sache.

Hiding places there are innumerable, escape is only one, but possibilities of escape, again, are as many as hiding places.

What have I in common with Jews? I have hardly anything in common with myself

Martyrs do not underrate the body, they allow it to be elevated on the cross. In this they are at one with their antagonists.