As unity demanded for its expression what at first might have seemed its opposite--variety; so repose demands for its expression the implied capability of its opposite--energy. It is the most unfailing test of beauty; nothing can be ignoble that possesses it, nothing right that has it not.

In old times men used their powers of painting to show the objects of faith, in later times they use the objects of faith to show their powers of painting.

The common practice of keeping up appearances with society is a mere selfish struggle of the vain with the vain.

It is eminently a weariable faculty, eminently delicate, and incapable of bearing fatigue; so that if we give it too many objects at a time to employ itself upon, or very grand ones for a long time together, it fails under the effort, becomes jaded, exactly as the limbs do by bodily fatigue, and incapable of answering any farther appeal till it has had rest.

To banish imperfection is to destroy expression, to check exertion, to paralyze vitality.

He who has learned what is commonly considered the whole art of painting, that is, the art of representing any natural object faithfully, has as yet only learned the language by which his thoughts are to be expressed.

Anything which elevates the mind is sublime. Greatness of matter, space, power, virtue or beauty, are all sublime.