Quote collection
583 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Although nature commences with reason and ends in experience it is necessary for us to do the opposite, that is to commence with experience and from this to proceed to investigate the reason."
"Drawing is based upon perspective, which is nothing else than a thorough knowledge of the function of the eye."
"First study the science, and then practice the art which is born of that science."
"When you draw a nude, sketch the whole figure and nicely fit the members to it and to each other. Even though you may only finish one portion of the drawing, just make certain that all the parts hang together, so that the study will be useful to you in the future."
"It is an acknowledged fact that we perceive errors in the work of others more readily than in our own."
"You should often amuse yourself when you take a walk for recreation, in watching and taking note of the attitudes and actions of men as they talk and dispute, or laugh or come to blows with one another... noting these down with rapid strokes, in a little pocket-book which you ought always to carry with you."
"It is ordained that to the ambitious, who derive no satisfaction from the gifts of life and the beauty of the world, life shall be a cause of suffering, and they shall possess neither the profit nor the beauty of the world."
"Who sows virtue reaps honor."
"To such an extent does nature delight and abound in variety that among her trees there is not one plant to be found which is exactly like another; and not only among the plants, but among the boughs, the leaves and the fruits, you will not find one which is exactly similar to another."
"... we might say that the earth has a spirit of growth; that its flesh is the soil, its bones the arrangement and connection of the rocks of which the mountains are composed, its cartilage the tufa, and its blood the springs of water."
"We know well that mistakes are more easily detected in the works of others than in one's own."
"The greater the man's soul, the deeper he loves."
"That which can be lost cannot be deemed riches."
"In her (nature's) inventions nothing is lacking and nothing is superfluous."
"Especially learn how to see."
"simplicity is the best sophistication"
"Art is the queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world."
"Just as eating against one's will is injurious to health, so studying without a liking for it spoils the memory, and it retains nothing it takes in."
"The lie is so vile, that even if it were in speaking well of godly things, it would take off something from God's grace; and Truth is so excellent, that if it praises but small things they become noble."
"It is a far worthier thing to read by the light of experience than to adorn oneself with the labors of others."