I know of no such thing as genius, genius is nothing but labor and diligence..

Straight lines vary only in length, and therefore are least ornamental..

All the world is competent to judge my pictures except those who are of my profession..

I turned my thoughts to a still more novel mode... to compose pictures on canvas similar to representations on the stage... my picture is my stage, a….

I have generally found that persons who had studied painting least were the best judges of it..

I think it is owing to the good sense of the English that they have not painted better..

Simplicity, without variety, is wholly insipid..

The serpentine line, or the line of grace, by its waving and winding at the same time different ways, leads the eye in a pleasing manner along the co….

I had rather, if cruelty has been prevented by the four prints [The Four Stages of Cruelty], be maker of them than of the [Raphael] cartoons..

Time is not a great artist but weakens all he touches..