Topics · Science & the Future
Wisdom about science.
What people have learned about science the hard way, and what the classics said about it first.
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From the library
The painter should aim at universality.
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature.
Invention is one of the great marks of genius.
Nature contains the elements, in colour and form, of all pictures.
The course and nature of things is such that What was in front is now behind; What warmed anon we freezing find. Strength is of weakness oft the spoil; The store in ruins mocks our toil. Hence the sage puts away excessive effort, extravagance, and easy indulgence.
A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
The painter strives and competes with nature.
Great, it passes on (in constant flow). Passing on, it becomes remote. Having become remote, it returns. Therefore the Tao is great; Heaven is great; Earth is great; and the (sage) king is also great. In the universe there are four that are great, and the (sage) king is one of them.
The mind of the painter must resemble a mirror.
All things are produced by the Tao, and nourished by its outflowing operation. They receive their forms according to the nature of each, and are completed according to the circumstances of their condition. Therefore all things without exception honour the Tao, and exalt its outflowing operation.
He is a poor disciple who does not excel his master.
Abstaining from speech marks him who is obeying the spontaneity of his nature. A violent wind does not last for a whole morning; a sudden rain does not last for the whole day. To whom is it that these (two) things are owing? To Heaven and Earth. If Heaven and Earth cannot make such (spasmodic) actings last long, how much less can man!
Painting is adorned with infinite possibilities which sculpture cannot command.
The grandest forms of active force From Tao come, their only source. Who can of Tao the nature tell? Our sight it flies, our touch as well. Eluding sight, eluding touch, The forms of things all in it crouch; Eluding touch, eluding sight, There are their semblances, all right. Profound it is, dark and obscure; Things' essences all there endure. Those essences the truth enfold Of what, when seen,…
The painter who works from nature should have a window, which he can raise and lower.