All that we call ideal in Greek or any other art, because to us it is false and visionary, was, to the makers of it, true and existent.
John RuskinWhenever you see want or misery or degradation in this world about you, then be sure either industry has been wanting, or industry has been in error.
John RuskinMilton saw not, and Beethoven heard not, but the sense of beauty was upon them, and they fain must speak.
John RuskinIt is far more difficult to be simple than to be complicated; far more difficult to sacrifice skill and easy execution in the proper place, than to expand both indiscriminately.
John RuskinI had no companions to quarrel with, nobody to assist, and nobody to thank... the evil consequence of all this was not, however, what might perhaps have been expected, that I grew up selfish or non affectionate; but that, when affection did come, it came with a violence utterly rampant and unmanageable.
John Ruskin