And one certainly does rise above that mark by despising what is mediocre. In my opinion, one must begin at least by having some respect for the mediocre and know that it means something, and that it is only reached with great difficulty.


Somebody may be ever so clever; of what use is that to me when he speaks in a way differently from the medium in which he works.


Nature always begins by resisting the artist, but he who really takes it seriously does not know himself to be led astray by that resistence; on the contrary, it is a stimulus the more to fight for the victory.