To me the most important thing is the sense of going on. You know how beautiful things are when you're traveling.

Great art is the outward expression of an inner life in the artist, and this inner life will result in his personal vision of the world.

If you could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.

No amount of skillful invention can replace the essential element of imagination.

More of me comes out when I improvise.

The only quality that endures in art is a personal vision of the world. Methods are transient: personality is enduring.

I guess I'm not very human. All I really want to do is paint light on the side of a house.

It's (the lack of communication between the people in his paintings, ed.) probably a reflection of my own, if I may say, loneliness. I don't know. It could be the whole human condition.

In general it can be said that a nation's art is greatest when it most reflects the character of its people.

There is a sort of elation about sunlight on the upper part of a house.

Well, I've always been interested in approaching a big city in a train, and I can't exactly describe the sensations, but they're entirely human and perhaps have nothing to do with aesthetics.

Do not allow yourself to be aggravated by someone’s anger. Stay calm.

In matters of conscience, first thoughts are best. In matters of prudence, last thoughts are best.

Life is a sleep, love is a dream; and you have lived if you have loved.

The true nature of anything is what it becomes at its highest.

There was no more grass, no flowers, not even any moss: dusty granite blocks covered the ice and an occasional grinding groan reminded us that we were on a slow-moving glacier.

I GREW UP IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD A FRIEND OR 2 THAT TALKED WITH THE SOOUTHERN ACCENT.

Our desires cut across one another, and in this confused existence it is rare for happiness to coincide with the desire that clamoured for it.

Cut these words and they would bleed; they are vascular and alive.

I don't care how far we've come with "women's liberation," with all these things. In a man's mind, he still needs to be the support of his family. He needs to hold up the world.