I say that in narrative paintings one should mingle direct contraries close by, because they produce strong contrasts with one another, and all the more so when they are very close together; that is, the ugly next to the beautiful, the big to the small, the old to the young, the strong to the weak; in this way you will vary as much as possible and close by.

Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.

The grave will fall in upon him who digs it.

Nothing is more apt to deceive us than our own judgment of our work. We derive more benefit from having our faults pointed out by our enemies than from hearing the opinions of friends.

Truth is so excellent, that if it praises but small things they become noble.

The cat is nature's masterpiece.

Great love is born of great knowledge of the thing that is loved, and if you do not know it, you can love it little or not at all.