We find collected in this book [The Bible] the superstitious beliefs of the ancient inhabitants of Palestine, with indistinct echoes of Indian and Pe…

- Max Nordau

Hysteria and degeneration have always existed; but they formerly showed themselves sporadically, and had no importance in the life of the whole commu…

- Max Nordau

How dare the smooth talkers, the clever official blabbers, open their mouths and boast of progress. . . . Here they hold jubilant peace conferences i…

- Max Nordau

By the end of the 20th Century there will be a generation to whom it will not be injurious to read a dozen quire of newspapers daily, to be constantl…

- Max Nordau

It is well to be alone. It fertilizes the creative impulse.

- Max Nordau

Degenerates are not always criminals, prostitutes, anarchists and pronounced lunatics; they are often authors and artists

- Max Nordau

[H]istory is a melodrama on the theme of parasitism, characterized by scenes that are exciting or dull, as the case may be, and many a sudden stagetr…

- Max Nordau

The artist writes, paints, sings or dances the burden of some idea or feeling off his mind.

- Max Nordau

If I despised myself, it would be no compensation if everyone saluted me, and if I respect myself, it does not trouble me if others hold me lightly.

- Max Nordau