A beautiful thing never gives so much pain as does failing to hear and see it.

Faith in oneself is the best and safest course.

If in my youth I had realized that the sustaining splendour of beauty of with which I was in love would one day flood back into my heart, there to ignite a flame that would torture me without end, how gladly would I have put out the light in my eyes.

So take care of your life and take notice and be observant, for the number of widows is always far greater than the number of widowers.

No one has mastery, Before he is at the end, Of his art and his life.

As when, O lady mine, With chiselled touch, The stone unhewn and cold, Becomes a living mould, The more the marble wastes, The more the statue grows.

Can't you see the angel imprisoned in the block of stone trying to get out? I am trying to free him