Quotes by Vincent van Gogh

“It is only too true that a lot of artists are mentally ill- its a life which, to put it mildly, makes one an outsider. Im all right when I completely immerse myself in work, but Ill always remain half crazy.”

“I have played hell somewhat with the truthfulness of the colors”

“I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.”

“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.”

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

“I am not an adventurer by choice but by fate.”

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

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

“If you hear a voice within you saying, You are not a painter, then by all means paint… and that voice will be silenced.”

“I wish they would only take me as I am.”

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

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”

“If one keeps loving faithfully what is really worth loving, and does not waste ones love on insignificant and unworthy and meaningless things, one will get more light by and by and grow stronger. Sometimes it is well to go into the world and converse with people, and at times one is obliged to do so, but he who would prefer to be quietly alone with his work, and who wants but very few friends, will go safest through the world and among people. And even in the most refined circles and with the best surroundings and circumstances, one must keep something of the original character of an anchorite, for other wise one has no root in oneself; one must never let the fire go out in ones soul, but keep it burning. And whoever chooses poverty for himself and loves it possesses a great treasure, and will always clearly hear the voice of his conscience; he who hears and obeys that voice, which is the best gift of God, finds at least a friend in it, and is never alone.”

“Perhaps it will seem to you that the sunshine is brighter and that everything has a new charm. At least, I believe this is always the result of a deep love, and it is a beautiful thing. And I believe people who think love prevents one from thinking clearly are wrong; for then one thinks very clearly and is more active than before. And love is something eternal--the aspect may change, but not the essence. There is the same difference in a person before and after he is in love as there is in an unlighted lamp and one that is burning. The lamp was there and it was a good lamp, but now it is shedding light too, and that is its real function. And love makes one calmer about many things, and in that way, one is more fit for ones work.”

“How can I be useful, of what service can I be? There is something inside me, what can it be?”

“Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination; do not become the slave of your model.”

“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”

“One must work and dare if one really wants to live.”

“There is no blue without yellow and without orange.”

“I consciously choose the dogs path through life. I shall be poor; I shall be a painter...”