Impressionism is only direct sensation. All great painters were less or more impressionists. It is mainly a question of instinct, and much simpler than [John Singer] Sargent thinks.

To see we must forget the name of the thing we are looking at.

Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand, as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love.

I must have flowers, always, and always.

It's on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly.

All I did was to look at what the universe showed me, to let my brush bear witness to it.

The light constantly changes, and that alters the atmosphere and beauty of things every minute.

Light is the most important person in the picture.

Every day I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad. I have such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it.

It is a tragedy that we live in a world where physical courage is so common, and moral courage is so rare.

I would like to paint the way a bird sings.

The way we relate with people is the same way we relate with God

The sacred heart is filled with joy.

Job was comfortless before the speech of Jehovah and is comforted after it. He has been told nothing, but he feels the terrible and tingling atmosphere of something which is too good to be told.

Never reveal what is real

I am very shy. When I go to a charity ball, I don't mind if people look at my sleeves. I mind terribly if I have to say something.

Illusions are important. What you foresee or what you remember can be as important as what really happens.

Irish people have a trick of over-statement, at which one ceases to wince as one grows older.

We need art. We've been telling stories since the beginning. As human beings, we need it for our survival.

A reprisal of this magnitude... has never been carried out before. I paced back and forth in my room perplexed and completely depressed, feeling helpless.

One of the most important results you can bring into the world is the you that you really want to be.