Wonder is the seed of knowledge

Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New.

For whatever deserves to exist deserves also to be known, for knowledge is the image of existence, and things mean and splendid exist alike.

It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tost upon the sea: a pleasure to stand in the window of a castle, and to see a battle and the adventures thereof below: but no pleasure is comparable to standing upon the vantage ground of truth . . . and to see the errors, and wanderings, and mists, and tempests, in the vale below.

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.

I paint for myself. I don't know how to do anything else, anyway. Also I have to earn my living, and occupy myself.

the serpent if it wants to become the dragon must eat itself.