The true test of all the arts is not solely whether the production is a true copy of nature, but whether it answers the end of art, which is to produce a pleasing effect upon the mind.

There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking.

The real character of a man is found out by his amusements.

Few have been taught to any purpose who have not been their own teachers.

A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts.

Our Exhibitions [The Royal Academy] have... a mischievous tendency, by seducing the Painter to an ambition of pleasing indiscriminately the mixed multitude of people who resort to them.

Art in its perfection is not ostentatious; it lies hid and works its effect, itself unseen.

The great end of all arts is to make an impression on the imagination and the feeling. The imitation of nature frequently does this. Sometimes it fails and something else succeeds.

A mere copier of nature can never produce anything great.

Taste depends upon those finer emotions which make the organization of the soul.

Genius is supposed to be a power of producing excellences which are put of the reach of the rules of art: a power which no precepts can teach, and which no industry can acquire.

The difference between a positive attitude and a negative attitude can be measured by its level of energy, both inwardly and outwardly.

This city is dying of rabies. Is the best I can do to wipe random flecks of foam from its lips?

One can't teach a cat not to catch birds

We are sufficient to do everything possible to heal this Earth.

If one considered life as a simple loan, one would perhaps be less exacting. We possess actually nothing; everything goes through us.

The idea isn't to find yourself another environment for tomorrow, but to be constantly creating the environment and community you want for yourself, no matter what may occur.

Only do acting, if you don't want to do anything else. And know that it's a tough journey with a lot of rejection along the way. You have to have a lot of self-belief.

O my God, if Thy creations are so full of beauty, delight and joy, how infinitely more full of beauty, delight and joy art Thou Thyself, Creator of all!

An easy-going husband is the one indispensable comfort of life.

If art is to survive it must describe and express people, their lives and times.