Today I may way before an awestruck world; I am still master of my fate. I am still captain of my soul.

I'm going to make a long speech because I've not had the time to prepare a short one.

Like a sea-beast fished up from the depths, or a diver too suddenly hoisted, my veins threatened to burst from the fall in pressure. I had great anxiety and no means of relieving it ... And then it was that the Muse of Painting came to my rescue - out of charity and out of chivalry ... - and said, "Are these toys any good to you? They amuse some people."

In Russia a man is called reactionary if he objects to having his property stolen and his wife and children murdered.

Watch your character for your character is your destiny.

I'd rather spend half an hour in the company of a top carpenter, than three hours in the company of an average brain surgeon

It is all true, or it ought to be; and more and better besides.