Literature occupied a central role in the life of Alfred Nobel. He regarded various literary forms of expression as opportunities to achieve a greater understanding of our own thoughts, lives and relationships with other people and our surroundings.

Alfred Nobel had an extensive library, which included important European literary works. Inspired by Shelley and Byron, he wrote poems in English as a young man. Toward the end of his life, he wrote the tragedy Nemesis. His best literary form of expression was probably the aphorism, where he often expressed himself drastically.

“A heart can no more be forced to love than a stomach can be forced to digest food by persuasion.”

“Second to agriculture, humbug is the biggest industry of our age.”

“Contentment is the only real wealth.”

“We build upon the sand, and the older we become, the more unstable this foundation becomes.”

“The truthful man is usually a liar.”

“Justice is to be found only in the imagination.”

“It is not sufficient to be worthy of respect in order to be respected.”

“Worry is the stomach’s worst poison.”

“The best excuse for the fallen ones is that Madame Justice herself is one of them.”

“Self-respect without the respect of others is like a jewel which will not stand the daylight.”

“Hope is nature’s veil for hiding truth’s nakedness.”

“Lying is the greatest of all sins.”

“Home is where I work and I work everywhere.”