« The loss of the Self and its substitution by a pseudo-Me leave the individual in an intense state of insecurity. He is obsessed with doubt because, being essentially a reflection of other people's expectations of him, he has to some extent lost his identity. In order to overcome the panic resulting from such a loss of identity, he is obliged to conform, to seek his identity in the continual approval and recognition of others. Since he does not know who he is, at least others will know - provided he acts according to their expectations, if they know, he will also know, if he takes them at his word. »

« What men experience today as "happiness" really corresponds to a state of complete satisfaction of their desires, whatever their quality; happiness, thus conceived, exceeds the important limits that Greek philosophy had assigned to it, namely primarily that it should not be the fulfilment of subjective needs, but rather that of objectively valid needs, according to the criteria of the total existence of man and his potential. We'd better think about joy and intense vivacity rather than happiness. A sentient being cannot help but be deeply affected by the inevitable tragedies of life, whether in an irrational society or in the best of societies. Joy and sadness are inescapable experiences for a sensitive and living being. Happiness, in its present sense, implies blissful and superficial satiety rather than the fullness of human experience; it can be said that this "happiness" is the alienated form of joy. »

« It can be said without exaggeration that the knowledge of the great ideas produced by the human race has never been as widespread as it is today, and that these ideas have never been as ineffective as they are today. »