One must work, if not from inclination, at least out of despair — since it proves, on close examination, that work is less boring than amusing oneself.

Art is an infinitely precious good, a draught both refreshing and cheering which restores the stomach and the mind to the natural equilibrium of the ideal.

Let us beware of common folk, of common sense, of sentiment, of inspiration, and of the obvious.

Even as a child I felt in my heart two opposite emotions: the horror of life and the ecstasy of life.

The son will run away from the family not at eighteen but at twelve, emancipated by his gluttonous precocity; he will fly not to seek heroic adventures, not to deliver a beautiful prisoner from a tower, not to immortalize a garret with sublime thoughts, but to found a business, to enrich himself and to compete with his infamous papa.

Delacroix was passionately in love with passion, but coldly determined to express passion as clearly as possible.

It is necessary to work, if not from inclination, at least from despair. Everything considered, work is less boring than amusing oneself.