Genius Is Eternal Patience.

I Dare Affirm That Any Artist... Who Has Nothing Singular, Eccentric, Or At Least Reputed To Be So, In His Person, Will Never Become A Superior Talent.

So Now, From This Mad Passion Which Made Me Take Art For An Idol And A King I Have Learnt The Burden Of Error That It Bore And What Misfortune Springs From Man's Desire... The World's Frivolities Have Robbed Me Of The Time That I Was Given For Reflecting Upon God.

I Sometimes Set Myself Thinking And Imagining That I Find Amongst Men But One Single Art Or Science, And That Is Drawing Or Painting, All Others Being Members Proceeding Therefrom.

Let Whoever May Have Attained To So Much As To Have The Power Of Drawing Know That He Holds A Great Treasure.

The Promises Of This World Are, For The Most Part, Vain Phantoms; And To Confide In One's Self, And Become Something Of Worth And Value Is The Best And Safest Course.