In the course of history, men come to see that iron necessity is neither iron nor necessary.

No small art is it to sleep: it is necessary for that purpose to keep awake all day.

Necessity is not an established fact, but an interpretation.

Not necessity, not desire /no, the love of power is the demon of men. Let them have everything /health, food, a place to live, entertainment /they are and remain unhappy and low-spirited: for the demon waits and waits and will be satisfied.

Can an ass be tragic? To perish under a burden one can neither bear nor throw off? The case of the philosopher.

All idealism is falsehood in the face of necessity