In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it.

If there is some good in me, it is because I was born in the subtle atmosphere of your country of Arezzo. Along with the milk of my nurse I received the knack of handling chisel and hammer, with which I make my figures.

Lord free me of myself, so I can please you!

Death and love are the two wings that bear the good man to heaven.

Do not fret, for God did not create us to abandon us.

I cannot live under pressures from patrons, let alone paint.

I feast on wine and bread, and feasts they are.