Mark what a generosity and courage (a dog) will put on when he finds himself maintained by a man, who to him is instead of a God

Anger is certainly a kind of baseness; as it appears well in the weakness of those subjects in whom it reigns; children, women, old folks, sick folks. Only men must beware, that they carry their anger rather with scorn, than with fear; so that they may seem rather to be above the injury, than below it; which is a thing easily done, if a man will give law to himself in it.

It's such an extraordinary supple medium that you never do quite know what paint will do.

He that will not apply new remedies, must expect new evils: for Time is the greatest innovator: and if Time, of course, alter things to the worse, and wisdom and counsel shall not alter them to the better, what shall be the end?.

I regret not starting to paint earlier...It is one of the few things I do regret.

Perils commonly ask to be paid in pleasures.

Nothing destroys authority more than the unequal and untimely interchange of power stretched too far and relaxed too much.