There is an art of the ugly soul side by side with the art of the beautiful soul.... 1, 157 Artists of representation are especially held to be possessed of genius, but not scientific men. In reality, however, the former valuation and the latter under-valuation are only puerilities of reason. 1, 166-167 A good author possesses not only his own intellect, but also that of his friends. 1, 178 To look upon writing as a regular profession should justly be regarded as a form of madness. 1, 181 A conversation with a friend will only bear good fruit of knowledge when both think only of the matter under consideration and forget that they are friends. 1, 183 Complete praise has a weakening effect. 1, 184 There will always be a need of bad authors; for they meet the taste of readers of an undeveloped, immature age.... 1, 185 The born aristocrats of the mind are not in too much of a hurry; their creations appear and fall from the tree on some quiet autumn evening, without being rashly desired, instigated, or pushed aside by new matter. The unceasing desire to create is vulgar, and betrays envy, jealousy, and ambition. If a man _is_ something, it is not really necessary for him to do anything--and yet he does a great deal. There is a human species higher even than the "productive" man.... 1, 189 Deviating natures are of the utmost importance wherever there is to be progress. Every wholesale progress must be preceded by a partial weakening. The strongest natures _retain_ the type, the weaker ones help it to _develop_. 1, 208 In the knowledge of truth, what really matters is the _possession_ of it, not the impulse under which it was sought, the way in which it was found. 1, 210 The fettered spirit does not take up his position from conviction, but from habit; he is a Christian, for instance, not because he had a comprehension of different creeds and could take his choice; he is an Englishman, not because he decided for England, but he found Christianity and England ready-made and accepted them without any reason, just as one who is born in a wine-country becomes a wine-drinker. 1, 211 The restriction of views, which habit has made instinct, leads to what is called strength of character. 1, 212-213 The highest intelligence and the warmest heart cannot exist together in one person, and the wise man who passes judgment upon life looks beyond goodness and only regards it as something which is not without value in the general summing-up of life. The wise man must _oppose_ those digressive wishes of unintelligent goodness, because he has an interest in the continuance of his type and in the eventual appearance of the highest intellect; at least, he will not advance the founding of the "perfect State," inasmuch as there is only room in it for wearied individuals. 1, 218-219