I am not strictly speaking mad, for my mind is absolutely normal in the intervals, and even more so than before. But during the attacks it is terrible - and then I lose consciousness of everything. But that spurs me on to work and to seriousness, as a miner who is always in danger makes haste in what he does.

I believe more and more that God must not be judged on this earth. It is one of His sketches that has turned out badly.

If your inner voice is telling you that you can't paint, by all means, hurry up and paint and silence the voice.

One must work and dare if one really wants to live.

I feel a certain calm. There is safety in the midst of danger. What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?

Art is jealous, and demands our whole strength ... .

In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.