Bunglers and pedants judge art according to genre; they approve of this and dismiss that genre, but instead of genres, the open-minded connoisseur appreciates only individual works.

Let the famous not denounce fame. Far from being empty and meaningless, it fills those it touches with divine power.

Why I love the ancients so much? Aside from everything else, when I read them, the entire past between them and me unfolds at thesame time. The hearts of how many heroes and poets may have been set on fire by Plutarch's biographies which now inspire me with their own and with borrowed flames!

If someone took the finest marble and knew how to shape it artfully: Prometheus' material was lowly clay, but his statues walked.

The office of the prince and that of the writer are defined and assigned as follows: the nobleman gives rank to the written work,the writer provides food for the prince.

Although your knowledge is weak and small, you need not be silent: since you cannot be judges be at least witnesses.

The likeness of the world? A shadow! And world's glory? A dream!