What really interests me is whether God had any choice in the creation of the world. Remark to Ernst Straus, one of his assistants.

I am prepared to meet my maker; whether my maker is prepared to meet me is entirely another matter.

I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures, or has a will of the type of which we are conscious in ourselves. An individual who should survive his physical death is also beyond my comprehension, nor do I wish it otherwise; such notions are for the fears or absurd egoism of feeble souls.

Now is no time to be making new enemies. When asked on his deathbed by a priest to renounce the devil and turn to God.