Treasures are no longer to be got by instrumental art.
I wish to lead a life free from care, and I see that I shall be unhappy if I cannot always work at my art.
How often have I actually discovered in myself that enthusiasm raises the artist above himself, how in an ordinary mood one would not have been able to accomplish many of the things for which enthusiasm lends one everything, energy, fire.
My imagination can picture no fairer happiness than to continue living for art.
Why hurry over beautiful things? Why not linger and enjoy them?
I will yield to popular demands only insofar as they do not betray my own convictions.