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 Thus portraits of famous people aren’t valid historical documents.
Evilness is imminent to a man. The simple fact is that nobody will do you favor out of their free will, unless either you make them do it or they have some self-interest in it. Even then, they’d never miss an opportunity to let you know that they are doing your a favor.
Man is in his most natural state when he’s alone. All true revelations came to us when we were alone. When we have company, we’re preoccupied with other things.
