“A Man Said to the UniverseA man said to the universe: “Sir, I exist!”“However,” replied the universe, “The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation.”

“The man had arrived at that stage of drunkenness where affection is felt for the universe.”

“When it occurs to a man that nature does not regard him as important, and that she feels she would not maim the universe by disposing of him, he at first wishes to throw bricks at the temple, and he hates deeply the fact that there are no bricks and no temples.”

“Think as I think," said a man, "or you are abominably wicked; you are a toad." And after I thought of it, I said, "I will, then, be a toad.”

“XXIVI saw a man pursuing the horizon;Round and round they sped.I was disturbed at this;I accosted the man."It is futile," I said,"You can never-""You lie" he criedAnd ran on.”

“A man with a full stomach and the respect of his fellows had no business to scold about anything that he might think to be wrong in the ways of the universe, or even with the ways of society. Let the unfortunates rail; the others may play marbles.”

“XXA learned man came to me once.He said, "I know the way, - come."And I was overjoyed at this.Together we hastened,Soon, too soon, were weWhere my eyes were useless,And I knew not the ways of me feet.I clung to the hand of my friend;But at last he cried, "I am lost.”