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Art is a goddess of dainty thought, reticent of habit, abjuring all obtrusiveness, purposing in no way to better others. She is, withal selfishly occupied with her own perfection only — having no desire to teach.

— James McNeill Whistler his lecture 'Ten O'Clock (1885)

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More quotes by James McNeill Whistler

The rare few, who, early in life, have rid themselves of the friendship of the many.

The Gentle Art of Making Enemies (1890)

You shouldn't say it is not good. You should say you do not like it; and then, you know, you're perfectly safe.

Don C. Seitz in Whistler Stories (1913)

Two and two continue to make four, in spite of the whine of the amateur for three, or the cry of the critic for five.

It is for the artist.. ..in portrait painting to put on canvas something more than the face the model wears for that one day; to paint the man, in short, as well as his features.

The Gentle Art of Making Enemies (1890)

Yes, madam, Nature is creeping up. [in response to a lady who said that a landscape reminded her of his work]

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: James McNeill Whistler (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.