Could we teach taste or genius by rules, they would be no longer taste and genius.

Quote by Joshua Reynolds

Topics: Joshua Reynolds Quotes

The real character of a man is found out by his amusements.

The real character of a man is found out by his amusements.

Invention, strictly speaking, is little more than a new combination of those images which have...

Invention, strictly speaking, is little more than a new combination of those images which have...

If you have great talents, industry will improve them: if you have but moderate abilities,...

If you have great talents, industry will improve them: if you have but moderate abilities,...

There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real...

There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real...

There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real...

There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real...

It is but a poor eloquence which only shows that the orator can talk.

It is but a poor eloquence which only shows that the orator can talk.

A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts.

A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts.

Words should be employed as the means, not the end; language is the instrument, conviction...

Words should be employed as the means, not the end; language is the instrument, conviction...

The greatest man is he who forms the taste of a nation; the next greatest...

The greatest man is he who forms the taste of a nation; the next greatest...

The value and rank of every art is in proportion to the mental labor employed...

The value and rank of every art is in proportion to the mental labor employed...

The greatest man is he who forms the taste of a nation; the next greatest...

The greatest man is he who forms the taste of a nation; the next greatest...

Few have been taught to any purpose who have not been their own teachers.

Few have been taught to any purpose who have not been their own teachers.

A mere copier of nature can never produce anything great.

A mere copier of nature can never produce anything great.

Invention, strictly speaking, is little more than a new combination of those images which have...

Invention, strictly speaking, is little more than a new combination of those images which have...

All the gestures of children are graceful; the reign of distortion and unnatural attitudes commences...

All the gestures of children are graceful; the reign of distortion and unnatural attitudes commences...