I am not one who was born in the custody of wisdom I am one who is fond of olden times and intense in quest of the sacred knowing of the ancients.

Fine art is knowledge made visible.

I have never seen either angels or goddesses, so I am not interested in painting them.

Beauty, like truth, is relative to the time when one lives and to the individual who can grasp it.

Painting is the representation of visible forms. The essence of realism is its negation of the ideal.

The principle of realism means denial of the ideal.

Beauty lies in nature and reveals, once the artist has perceived it, its own expressive power.

To be able to translate the customs, ideas and appearance of my times as I see them - in a word, to create a living art - this has been my aim.

When I am no longer controversial, I will no longer be important

Titles have never given a just idea of things; were it otherwise, the work would be superfluous.

The beautiful is in nature, and it is encountered under the most diverse forms of reality. Once it is found it belongs to art, or rather to the artist who discovers it.

What is the most important thing one learns in school? Self-esteem, support, and friendship.

My prayer for you is simple. May the power of love be with you. May kindness adorn your heart, and may simplicity find a peaceful place in your thoughts and actions.

I don’t believe in prayer, but I do believe in magic, and I want to believe in miracles.

No one can be a better you than you. Therefore, striving continuously to become a better you is the only path to your greatness.

People use words to do battle and to hurt one another terribly, tragically and even mortally.

The internet could be a very positive step towards education, organisation and participation in a meaningful society.

All men are born equal, but some of them outgrow it.

Despotism can only exist in darkness.

People are always happy where there is love, because their happiness in in themselves.

Once a need is satisfied, it is no longer a motivator. Satisfaction does not increase motivation