Wherever good fortune enters, envy lays siege to the place and attacks it; and when it departs, sorrow and repentance remain behind.

Experiment is the sole interpreter of the artifices of Nature.

The vine that has grown old on an old tree falls with the ruin of that tree, and through that bad companionship must perish with it.

Make yourself a master of perspective, then acquire perfect knowledge of the proportions of men and other animals.

The painter who has no doubt about his own ability will attain very little.

Black is like a broken vessel, which is deprived of the capacity to contain anything.

It is a far worthier thing to read by the light of experience than to adorn oneself with the labors of others.