Studies serve for delight, for ornaments, and for ability.

Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set.

Velazquez found the perfect balance between the ideal illustration which he was required to produce, and the overwhelming emotion he aroused in the spectator.

The person is a poor judge who by an action can be disgraced more in failing than they can be honored in succeeding.

Everybody has his own interpretation of a painting he sees.

A man cannot speak to his son, but as a father; to his wife, but as a husband; to his enemy, but upon terms: whereas a friend may speak, as the case requires, and not as it sorteth with the person.

Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; adversity not without many comforts and hopes.