Observation and experiment for gathering material, induction and deduction for elaborating it: these are are only good intellectual tools.

I've had photographs taken for portraits because I very much prefer working from the photographs than from models... I couldn't attempt to do a portrait from photographs of somebody I didn't know.

By indignities men come to dignities.

Even within the most beautiful landscape, in the trees, under the leaves the insects are eating each other; violence is a part of life.

We think according to nature. We speak according to rules. We act according to custom.

In things that are tender and unpleasing, it is good to break the ice by some one whose words are of less weight, and to reserve the more weighty voice to come in as by chance.

Riches are for spending, and spending for honor and good actions; therefore extraordinary expense must be limited by the worth of the occasion.