A picture is finished when all trace of the means used to bring about the end has disappeared.

Can't a person be born where they want to be born?

Art should be independent of all clap-trap - should stand alone, and appeal to the artistic sense of eye or ear, without confounding this with emotions entirely foreign to it, as devotion, pity, love, patriotism and the like. All these have no kind of concern with it; and that is why I insist on calling my works 'arrangements' and 'harmonies.

The explanation is quite simple. I wished to be near my mother.

I always ask at once, 'Do you drink?' and if she says 'No,' I bow politely and say I am sorry but I fear she will not suit. All good cooks drink.

I am not arguing with you - I am telling you.

The rare few, who, early in life have rid themselves of the friendship of the many.