Vincent van Gogh — "I am not afraid of death, I am afraid of not living."

"So don't study and swot too much, because that makes for sterility. Enjoy yourself too much rather than too little, and don't take art or love too seriously either — one can do little about it oneself…"

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

"The sadness will last forever."

"As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed."

"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."