Michelangelo quotes - page 2

I was never the kind of painter or sculptor who kept a shop. (Michelangelo)
The marble not yet carved can hold the form of every thought the greatest artist has.
Michelangelo
What spirit is so empty and blind, that it cannot recognize the fact that the foot is more noble than the shoe, and skin more beautiful than the garment with which it is clothed?
Michelangelo
Every beauty which is seen here by persons of perception resembles more than anything else that celestial source from which we all are come.
Michelangelo
From such a gentle thing, from such a fountain of all delight, my every pain is born.
Michelangelo
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.
Michelangelo
I live and love in God's peculiar light.
Michelangelo
I have never felt salvation in nature. I love cities above all.
Michelangelo
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.
Michelangelo
Carving is easy, you just go down to the skin and stop.
Michelangelo
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. (Michelangelo)
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.
Michelangelo
The greatest artist has no conception which a single block of white marble does not potentially contain within its mass, but only a hand obedient to the mind can penetrate to this image.
Michelangelo
The best of artists has no conception that the marble alone does not contain within itself.
Michelangelo
I cannot live under pressures from patrons, let alone paint.
Michelangelo
Your lordship, only worldly light in this age of ours, you can never be pleased with another man's work for there is no man who resembles you, nor one to equal you ... It grieves me greatly that I cannot recapture my past, so as to longer be at your service. As it is, I can only offer you my future, which is short, for I am too old ... That is all I have to say. Read my heart for "the quill cannot express good will."
Michelangelo
If I am more alive because love burns and chars me, as a fire, given wood or wind, feels new elation, it's that he who lays me low is my salvation, and invigorates the more, the more he scars me.
Michelangelo
Dear to me is sleep: still more, being made of stone, While pain and guilt still linger here below, Blindness and numbness--these please me alone; Then do not wake me, keep your voices low.
Michelangelo
With few words I shall make thee understand my soul.
Michelangelo
Read the heart and not the letter for the pen cannot draw near the good intent.
Michelangelo
Draw, Antonio; draw, Antonio; draw and don't waste time. (Michelangelo)
Patience is eternal genius.
Michelangelo
That fount of mercy, whence we all exist, Every beauty seen here [on earth] resembles, More than anything else to knowing persons.
Michelangelo
Even if you are divine, you don't disdain male consorts.
Michelangelo
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.
Michelangelo