I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.

There is no greater harm than that of time wasted.

My soul can find no staircase to Heaven unless it be through Earth's loveliness.

The promises of this world are, for the most part, vain phantoms; and to confide in one's self, and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course.

I live and love in God's peculiar light.

Genius is eternal patience.

Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.

If we have been pleased with life, we should not be displeased with death, since it comes from the hand of the same master.

There is no greater harm than that of time wasted.

The best of artists has no conception that the marble alone does not contain within itself.

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.

I cannot live under pressures from patrons, let alone paint.

Faith in oneself is the best and safest course.

Death and love are the two wings that bear the good man to heaven.

I am still learning.

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.

Lord, grant that I may always desire more than I can accomplish.

I am a poor man and of little worth, who is laboring in that art that God has given me in order to extend my life as long as possible.

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

The best artist has that thought alone Which is contained within the marble shell; The sculptor's hand can only break the spell To free the figures slumbering in the stone.

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.