I am not at all cynical, I have merely got experience, which, however, is very much the same thing.

If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want.

You can have your secret as long as I have your heart[.]

the costume of the nineteenth century is detestable. It is so sombre, so depressing. Sin is the only real colour-element left in modern life.

People sometimes inquire what form of government is most suitable for an artist to live under. To this question there is only one answer. The form of government that is most suitable to the artist is no government at all.

Whenever a man does a thoroughly stupid thing, it is always from the noblest motives.

Ambition is the germ from which all growth of nobleness proceeds.