A strong egoism is a protection.

We are never so defensless against suffering as when we love.

Perception is less of a recording system and more of a protection system against external stimuli.

Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.

Two hallmarks of a healthy life are the abilities to love and to work. Each requires imagination.

Conservatism, however, is too often a welcome excuse for lazy minds, loath to adapt themselves to fast changing conditions.

Were we fully to understand the reasons for other people's behavior, it would all make sense.

How bold one gets when one is sure of being loved.

One must learn to give up momentary, uncertain and destructive pleasure for delayed, restrained, but dependable pleasure.

If it's not one thing, it's your mother.

All giving is asking, and all asking is an asking for love.

Love and work, work and love...that's all there is.

In the depths of my heart I can’t help being convinced that my dear fellow-men, with a few exceptions, are worthless.

Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate.

I've been a fortunate man in life, nothing has come easily.

The goal of all life is death

The Irish are the one race for which psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever... because they already live in a dream world.

When someone abuses me I can defend myself, but against praise I am defenceless.

Whoever loves becomes humble. Those who love have, so to speak, pawned a part of their narcissism.