Stupid criticism and still more stupid praise.

It may be a good thing to copy reality; but to invent reality is much, much better.

The artist must yield himself to his own inspiraton, and if he has a true talent, no one knows and feels better than he what suits him.

Oh blessed a thousand times the peasant who is born, eats and dies without anybody bothering about his affairs.

To copy the truth can be a good thing, but to invent the truth is better, much better.

You may have the universe if I may have Italy.

I order that my funeral ceremonies be extremely modest, and that they take place at dawn or at the evening Ave Maria, without song or music.