Painting seems to be to the eye what dancing is to the limbs. When that has educated the frame to self-possession, to nimbleness,to grace, the steps of the dancing-master are better forgotten; so painting teaches me the splendor of color and the expression of form, and as I see many pictures and higher genius in the art, I see the boundless opulence of the pencil, the indifferency in which the artist stands free to choose out of the possible forms.

Evermore in the world is this marvelous balance of beauty and disgust, magnificence and rats.

Thou art to me a delicious torment.

For the resolute and determined, there is time and opportunity.

Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure shambles; but character gives splendor to youth, and awe to wrinkled skin and gray hairs.

We do not quite forgive a giver. The hand that feeds us is in some danger of being bitten.

We aim above the mark to hit the mark.