Talent does whatever it wants to do. Genius does only what it can.

Glory to that Homer of painting, to that father of warmth and enthusiasm... he really paints men.

Even when we look at nature, our imagination constructs the picture.

I am carrying out my plan, so long formulated, of keeping a journal. What I most keenly wish is not to forget that I am writing for myself alone. Thus I shall always tell the truth, I hope, and thus I shall improve myself. These pages will reproach me for my changes of mind.

Talent does whatever it wants to do. Genius does only what it can.

Everyone knows that yellow, orange, and red suggest ideas of joy and plenty. I can paint you the skin of Venus with mud, provided you let me surround it as I will.

Nourish yourself with grand and austere ideas of beauty that feed the soul Seek solitude.