In order not to offend them, a good portraitist is painting people the way they perceive themselves, not as they are in reality. Thus portraits of famous people aren’t valid historical documents.
In order to be creative, one has to have stability in his life. But, once he reaches stability, the urge to create diminishes. The best illustration of this is the fact that the first works of great authors are usually their greatest.
To be desperate for days, weeks, months, years, and decades. To be desperate to the limits of endurance, at the same time not committing, or even contemplating, suicide, it’s the bravest thing in the World.
To be a secret society member is very seductive. It’s the same as having a mistress, or secret account in Switzerland. When your secrets get discovered, it’s similar to having diarrhea and realizing that too late.
