If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it wouldn't seem wonderful at all.

Many believe - and I believe - that I have been designated for this work by God. In spite of my old age, I do not want to give it up; I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him.

The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.

If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it would not seem so wonderful at all.

If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all.

If in my youth I had realized that the sustaining splendour of beauty of with which I was in love would one day flood back into my heart, there to ignite a flame that would torture me without end, how gladly would I have put out the light in my eyes.