The worst things, however, are the petty thoughts. Better to have done evilly than to have thought pettily!
To be sure, you say: "The delight in petty evils spares one many a great evil deed." But here one should not wish to be sparing.
Like a boil is the evil deed: it itches and irritates and breaks forth- it speaks honorably.
"Behold, I am disease," says the evil deed: that is its honorableness.
But like infection is the petty thought: it creeps and hides, and wants to be nowhere- until the whole body is decayed and withered by the petty infection.
To him however, who is possessed of a devil, I would whisper this word in the ear: "Better for you to rear up your devil! Even for you there is still a path to greatness!"-
Ah, my brothers! One knows a little too much about every one! And many a one becomes transparent to us, but still we can by no means penetrate him.
It is difficult to live among men because silence is so difficult.
And not to him who is offensive to us are we most unfair, but to him who does not concern us at all.
If, however, you have a suffering friend, then be a resting-place for his suffering; like a hard bed, however, a camp-bed: thus will you serve him best.
And if a friend does you wrong, then say: "I forgive you what you have done to me; that you have done it to yourself, however- how could I forgive that!"
Thus speaks all great love: it overcomes even forgiveness and pity.
One should hold fast one's heart; for when one lets it go, how quickly does one's head run away!
Ah, where in the world have there been greater follies than
