As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.

Occasionally, in times of worry, I've longed to be stylish, but on second thought I say no-just let me be myself-and express rough, yet true things with rough workmanship.

...to look at the stars always makes me dream, as simply as I dream over the black dots of a map representing towns and villages. Why, I ask myself, should the shining dots of the sky not be as accessible as the black dots on the map of France?

An artist need not be a minister or a collector in church, but he must have a warm heart for people, and I find it a noble thing that, for example, no winter passed without The Graphic doing something to keep alive sympathy for the poor.

Love always brings difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy.

I long so much to make beautiful things. But beautiful things require effort and disappointment and perseverance.

To the one party, woman is always heresy and diabolical. To me, the opposite.