Inspirational Quotes by Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh, born March 30, 1853, is one of the most famous painters in history, despite being relatively poor and unknown for most of his life.

His paintings are bold and expressive. These inspirational quotes give an insight into the interesting mind of Vincent van Gogh.

“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”

“Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all.”

“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”

“I don’t know anything with certainty, but seeing the stars makes me dream.”

“A great fire burns within me, but no one stops to warm themselves at it, and passers-by only see a wisp of smoke.”

“I would rather die of passion than of boredom.”

“…and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?”

“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”

“I put my heart and soul into my work, and I have lost my mind in the process.”

“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.”

“Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.”

“Close friends are truly life’s treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never really alone.”

“What am I in the eyes of most people – a nonentity, an eccentric, or an unpleasant person – somebody who has no position in society and will never have; in short, the lowest of the low. All right, then – even if that were absolutely true, then I should one day like to show by my work what such an eccentric, such a nobody, has in his heart. That is my ambition, based less on resentment than on love in spite of everything, based more on a feeling of serenity than on passion. Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, pure harmony and music inside me. I see paintings or drawings in the poorest cottages, in the dirtiest corners. And my mind is driven towards these things with an irresistible momentum.”

“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”

“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.”

“I try more and more to be myself, caring relatively little whether people approve or disapprove.”

“It is with the reading of books the same as with looking at pictures; one must, without doubt, without hesitations, with assurance, admire what is beautiful.”

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”

“I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.”

“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”

“At present I absolutely want to paint a starry sky. It often seems to me that night is still more richly coloured than the day; having hues of the most intense violets, blues and greens. If only you pay attention to it you will see that certain stars are lemon-yellow, others pink or a green, blue and forget-me-not brilliance. And without my expatiating on this theme it is obvious that putting little white dots on the blue-black is not enough to paint a starry sky.”

“I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.”

“It is looking at things for a long time that ripens you and gives you a deeper meaning.”

“The beginning is perhaps more difficult than anything else, but keep heart, it will turn out all right.”

“I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say ‘he feels deeply, he feels tenderly’.”

“Exaggerate the essential, leave the obvious vague.”

vincent van gogh brushwork
signature of van gogh

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Happy painting!

Dan Scott

Draw Paint Academy

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Dan Scott is the founder of Draw Paint Academy. He's a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting. Draw Paint Academy is run by Dan and his wife, Chontele, with the aim of helping you get the most out of the art life. You can read more on the About page.

8 comments on “Inspirational Quotes by Vincent van Gogh”

  1. Van Gogh’s words are beautiful and impassioned, just like his paintings. I love knowing that he painted for the love of beauty, even though no one else seemed to notice during his lifetime. I hope that his spirit can somehow look down on the world today and realize how much he and his work are now loved.

    Thank you, Mr. Scott, for posting these great quotes and images.

    Reply
  2. …………………………LOVES THIS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LOVE VINCENT VAN GOGH………..Thank You Scott for sharing………..Hope

    Reply
    • Had read ‘Lust For Life’, a fictional biography of Van Gogh (based on the facts of his life) by Irving Stone, about sixty four years back. It carried a few letters of his brother Theo, an art critic, to him, which were most loving. However, with your great spirit of sharing, have now had the chance and pleasure to read his quotes, which are as passionate as his paintings! Thanks. No praise can be enough for the way you write, which is most illuminating and as explanatory as it can be. Hats off!

      Reply

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