The best of artists has no conception that the marble alone does not contain within itself.

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

Let whoever may have attained to so much as to have the power of drawing know that he holds a great treasure.

No thought is born in me that does not bear the image of death.

I created a vision of David in my mind and simply carved away everything that was not David.

The greatest artist has no conception which a single block of white marble does not potentially contain within its mass, but only a hand obedient to the mind can penetrate to this image.

With few words I shall make thee understand my soul.