The artist finds a greater pleasure in painting than in having completed the picture.

We haven't time to spare to hear whether it was between Italy and Sicily that he ran into a storm or somewhere outside the world we know-when every day we're running into our own storms, spiritual storms, and driven by vice into all the troubles that Ulysses ever knew.

If you are bent on assuming a pose and never reveal yourself to anyone frankly, in the fashion of many who live a false life that is all made up for show; for it is torturous to be constantly watching oneself and be fearful of being caught out of our usual role. And we are never free from concern if we think that every time anyone looks at us he is always taking-our measure; for many things happen that strip off our pretence against our will, and, though all this attention to self is successful, yet the life of those who live under a mask cannot be happy and without anxiety.

He that by harshness of nature rules his family with an iron hand is as truly a tyrant as he who misgoverns a nation.

Men love their vices and hate them at the same time.

He who tenders doubtful safety to those in trouble refuses it.

Laugh at your problems; everybody else does.