Ruthless, greedy, tyrannical, disreputable... they have had one principle worth all the rest, the principle of delight!
Kenneth ClarkChanges in the structure of society are not brought about solely by massive engines of doctrine. The first flash of insight which persuades human beings to change their basic assumptions is usually contained in a few phrases.
Kenneth ClarkThis became Delacroix 's theme: that the achievements of the spirit all that a great library contained were the result of a state of society so delicately balanced that at the least touch they would be crushed beneath an avalanche of pent-up animal forces.
Kenneth ClarkIt is often said that Leonardo drew so well because he knew about things; it is truer to say that he knew about things because he drew so well.
Kenneth ClarkI believe order is better than chaos, creation better than destruction. I prefer gentleness to violence, forgiveness to vendetta. On the whole I think that knowledge is preferable to ignorance, and I am sure that human sympathy is more valuable than ideology. I believe that in spite of the recent triumphs of science, men haven't changed much in the last two thousand years; and in consequence we must try to learn from history.
Kenneth Clark