What is an artist but a workman who is determined that, whatever else happens, his work shall be excellent?

The reward of labour is life. Is that not enough?

Do not be afraid of large patterns, if properly designed they are more restful to the eye than small ones: on the whole, a pattern where the structure is large and the details much broken up is the most useful...very small rooms, as well as very large ones, look better ornamented with large patterns.

It has become an article of the creed of modern morality that all labour is good in itself -- a convenient belief to those who live on the labour of others. But as to those on whom they live, I recommend them not to take it on trust, but to look into the matter a little deeper.

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.

A pattern is either right or wrong...it is no stronger than its weakest point.

...If our houses, or clothes, our household furniture and utensils are not works of art, they are either wretched makeshifts, or, what is worse, degrading shams of better things.