Vincent Van Gogh

“The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others.”

“I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”

“One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul and yet no one ever came to sit by it. Passers-by see only a wisp of smoke from the chimney and continue on their way.”

“Painting is a faith, and it imposes the duty to disregard public opinion.”

“There may be a great fire in our hearts, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke.”

“The best way to know God is to love many things.”

“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.”

“I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream.”

“I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God's help I shall succeed.”

“I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.”

“Conscience is a man's compass.”

“It is better to be high-spirited even though one makes more mistakes, than to be narrow-minded and all too prudent.”

“Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.”

“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”

“When I have a terrible need of - shall I say the word - religion. Then I go out and paint the stars.”

“If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”

“Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul.”

“Those Dutchmen had hardly any imagination or fantasy, but their good taste and their scientific knowledge of composition were enormous.”

“If one is master of one thing and understands one thing well, one has at the same time, insight into and understanding of many things.”

“But I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things.”