Manuscript Remains, Vol 1 Quotes

“Philosophy is a high mountain road which is reached only by a steep path covered with sharp stones and prickly thorns. It is an isolated road and becomes ever more desolate the higher we ascend. Whoever pursues this path must show no fear, but must leave everything behind and confidently make his own way in the wintry snow. Often he suddenly comes to a precipice and looks down upon the verdant valley. A violent attack of dizziness draws him over the edge, but he must control himself and cling to the rocks with might and main. In return to this, he soon sees the world beneath him; its sandy deserts and morasses vanish from his view, its uneven spots are leveled out, its jarring sounds no longer reach his ear, and its roundness is revealed to him. He himself is always in the pure cool mountain air and now beholds the sun when all below is still engulfed in dead of night.”
― Arthur Schopenhauer, Manuscript Remains, Vol 1: Early Manuscripts 1804-18

“To will [Wollen]! Great words! pointer on the scales of the Last Judgment, the bridge between heaven and hell! Reason is not the light shining from heaven, but only a sign post set up by ourselves and directed to the chosen goal, that it may show us the direction when the goal itself is concealed. But one can direct it to hell just as well to heaven.”
― Arthur Schopenhauer, Manuscript Remains, Vol 1: Early Manuscripts 1804-18