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Thought and language are to the artist instruments of an art.Vice and virtue are the artist’s materials for an art. From the point of view of form, th...more

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The pure and simple truth is, the truth is never pure and simple.

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No artist desires to prove anything. Even things that are can be proved. No artist has ethical sympathies. An ethical sympathy in an artist is an unpa...more

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I want to be good. I can't bear the idea of my soul being hideous.

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[Letter to William Ward, 11 July 1878]Dear Boy, Why don’t you write to me? I don’t know what has become of you.As for me I am ruined. The law suit is ...more

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She...can talk brillantly upon any subject provided she knows nothing about it.

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Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault.Those who find beautiful meanings in beautiful th...more

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Appearance blinds, whereas words reveal.

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I'm a man of simple tastes. I'm always satisfied with the best.

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So with curious eyes and sick surmiseWe watched him day by day,And wondered if each one of usWould end the self-same way,For none can tell to what red...more

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She lives the poetry she cannot write.

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A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.

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Yet the roses are not less lovely for all that

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I drink to separate my body from my soul.

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America has never quite forgiven Europe for having been discovered somewhat earlier in history than itself.