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100 Most Memorable Quotes By Vincent Van Gogh That Will Give A New Direction To Your Life

Famous As: One of the Most Famous and Influential Artists of All Time
Born On: March 30, 1853
Died On: July 29, 1890
Born In: Zundert, Netherlands
Died At Age: 37

Vincent van Gogh was one of the most prolific artists of the Post impressionism era. Here are a few interesting titbits from the life of the famous painter.

Though van Gogh did not live for long he produced as many as 900 works of art in a span of ten years. He did this without any formal training and while battling mental illness.

It was at the age of 27 that Vincent decided to pursue a career in painting and drawing  after unsuccessful stints as a missionary and art dealer.

Tragedy was a part and parcel of his life. Throughout his life he barely managed to make ends meet and it was only posthumously that his works earned the deserved fame. The only painting he sold in his lifetime was 'The Red Vineyard'.

Many know of the infamous incident involving van Gogh and contemporary Paul Gauguin. An argument between the two friends sent Vincent into a frenzy and apparently, he chopped off his ear lobe (contrary to popular belief that he axed his entire ear).

The famous painter who was enthusiastic about painting himself, eternized the wound by painting the Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear.

Here are a few inspirational quotes by the famous painter Vincent van Gogh.

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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.

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.

Vincent van Gogh
Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all.

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

Vincent van Gogh
I dream my painting and I paint my dream.

I dream my painting and I paint my dream.

Vincent van Gogh
There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.

There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.

Vincent van Gogh
I don't know anything with certainty, but seeing the stars makes me dream.

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

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

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

Vincent van Gogh
I would rather die of passion than of boredom.

I would rather die of passion than of boredom.

Vincent van Gogh
...and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?

...and then, I have nature and art and poetry, and if that is not enough, what is enough?

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

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

Vincent van Gogh
I put my heart and soul into my work, and I have lost my mind in the process.

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

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

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

Vincent van Gogh
I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.

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

Vincent van Gogh
What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?

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

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

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

Vincent van Gogh
The sadness will last forever.

The sadness will last forever.

Vincent van Gogh
I try more and more to be myself, caring relatively little whether people approve or disapprove.

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

Vincent van Gogh
I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.

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

Vincent van Gogh
Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.

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

Vincent van Gogh
If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.

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

Vincent van Gogh
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.

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.

Vincent van Gogh
I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things.

I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things.

Vincent van Gogh
I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.

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

Vincent van Gogh
It is looking at things for a long time that ripens you and gives you a deeper meaning.

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

Vincent van Gogh
I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say 'he feels deeply, he feels tenderly'.

I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say 'he feels deeply, he feels tenderly'.

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

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

Vincent van Gogh
Art is to console those who are broken by life.

Art is to console those who are broken by life.

Vincent van Gogh
If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now. For wheat is wheat, even if people think it is a grass in the beginning.

If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now. For wheat is wheat, even if people think it is a grass in the beginning.

Vincent van Gogh
Exaggerate the essential, leave the obvious vague.

Exaggerate the essential, leave the obvious vague.

Vincent van Gogh
I wish they would take me as I am.

I wish they would take me as I am.

Vincent van Gogh
La tristesse durera toujours.
[The sadness will last forever.]

La tristesse durera toujours. [The sadness will last forever.]

Vincent van Gogh
The only time I feel alive is when I'm painting.

The only time I feel alive is when I'm painting.

Vincent van Gogh
There is peace even in the storm

There is peace even in the storm

Vincent van Gogh
There may be a great fire in our soul, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke.

There may be a great fire in our soul, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the passers-by see only a wisp of smoke.

Vincent van Gogh
I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God's help I shall succeed.

I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God's help I shall succeed.

Vincent van Gogh
I can't change the fact that my paintings don't sell. But the time will come when people will recognize that they are worth more than the value of the paints used in the picture.

I can't change the fact that my paintings don't sell. But the time will come when people will recognize that they are worth more than the value of the paints used in the picture.

Vincent van Gogh
In the end we shall have had enough of cynicism, skepticism and humbug, and we shall want to live more musically.

In the end we shall have had enough of cynicism, skepticism and humbug, and we shall want to live more musically.

Vincent van Gogh
One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul and yet no one ever came to sit by it. Passers-by see only a wisp of smoke from the chimney and continue on their way.

One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul and yet no one ever came to sit by it. Passers-by see only a wisp of smoke from the chimney and continue on their way.

Vincent van Gogh
I will not live without love.

I will not live without love.

Vincent van Gogh
Your profession is not what brings home your weekly paycheck, your profession is what you're put here on earth to do, with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling.

Your profession is not what brings home your weekly paycheck, your profession is what you're put here on earth to do, with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling.

Vincent van Gogh
Someday death will take us to another star.

Someday death will take us to another star.

Vincent van Gogh
To suffer without complaint is the only lesson we have to learn in this life

To suffer without complaint is the only lesson we have to learn in this life

Vincent van Gogh
The sunflower is mine, in a way.

The sunflower is mine, in a way.

Vincent van Gogh
Whoever loves much, performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.

Whoever loves much, performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.

Vincent van Gogh
The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and in its depths it has its pearls too

The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and in its depths it has its pearls too

Vincent van Gogh
In spite of everything, I shall rise again; I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.

In spite of everything, I shall rise again; I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.

Vincent van Gogh
I'm such a nobody.

I'm such a nobody.

Vincent van Gogh
Let us keep courage and try to be patient and gentle. And let us not mind being eccentric, and make distinction between good and evil.

Let us keep courage and try to be patient and gentle. And let us not mind being eccentric, and make distinction between good and evil.

Vincent van Gogh
So often, a visit to a bookshop has cheered me, and reminded me that there are good things in the world.

So often, a visit to a bookshop has cheered me, and reminded me that there are good things in the world.

Vincent van Gogh
Only when I fall do I get up again.

Only when I fall do I get up again.

Vincent van Gogh
I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream.

I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream.

Vincent van Gogh
If you don’t have a dog--at least one--there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.

If you don’t have a dog--at least one--there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.

Vincent van Gogh
It is a pity that, as one gradually gains experience, one loses one's youth.

It is a pity that, as one gradually gains experience, one loses one's youth.

Vincent van Gogh
When I have a terrible need of - shall I say the word - religion, then I go out and paint the stars.

When I have a terrible need of - shall I say the word - religion, then I go out and paint the stars.

Vincent van Gogh
Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more.

Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more.

Vincent van Gogh
But for one's health as you say, it is very necessary to work in the garden and see the flowers growing.

But for one's health as you say, it is very necessary to work in the garden and see the flowers growing.

Vincent van Gogh
I think that I still have it in my heart someday to paint a bookshop with the front yellow and pink in the evening...like a light in the midst of the darkness.

I think that I still have it in my heart someday to paint a bookshop with the front yellow and pink in the evening...like a light in the midst of the darkness.

Vincent van Gogh
One must work and dare if one really wants to live.

One must work and dare if one really wants to live.

Vincent van Gogh
Admire as much as you can. Most people do not admire enough.

Admire as much as you can. Most people do not admire enough.

Vincent van Gogh
I confess I do not know why, but looking at the stars always makes me dream.

I confess I do not know why, but looking at the stars always makes me dream.

Vincent van Gogh
Don't lose heart if it's very difficult at times, everything will come out all right and nobody can in the beginning do as he wishes.

Don't lose heart if it's very difficult at times, everything will come out all right and nobody can in the beginning do as he wishes.

Vincent van Gogh
What is done in love is done well.

What is done in love is done well.

Vincent van Gogh
The best way to know life is to love many things

The best way to know life is to love many things

Vincent van Gogh
As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.

As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.

Vincent van Gogh
What color is in a picture, enthusiasm is in life.

What color is in a picture, enthusiasm is in life.

Vincent van Gogh
Success is sometimes the outcome of a whole string of failures.

Success is sometimes the outcome of a whole string of failures.

Vincent van Gogh
I shouldn't precisely have chosen madness if there had been any choice, but once such a thing has taken hold of you, you can't very well get out of it.

I shouldn't precisely have chosen madness if there had been any choice, but once such a thing has taken hold of you, you can't very well get out of it.

Vincent van Gogh
Seek only light and freedom and do not immerse yourself too deeply in the worldly mire.

Seek only light and freedom and do not immerse yourself too deeply in the worldly mire.

Vincent van Gogh
We spent our whole lives in unconsous excercise of the art of expressing our thoughts with the help of words

We spent our whole lives in unconsous excercise of the art of expressing our thoughts with the help of words

Vincent van Gogh
Let’s not forget that the little emotions are the great captains of our lives and we obey them without realizing it.

Let’s not forget that the little emotions are the great captains of our lives and we obey them without realizing it.

Vincent van Gogh
The lamps are burning and the starry sky is over it all.

The lamps are burning and the starry sky is over it all.

Vincent van Gogh
Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination; do not become the slave of your model.

Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination; do not become the slave of your model.

Vincent van Gogh
For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me want to dream.

For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me want to dream.

Vincent van Gogh
There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, and if it became worse and harder even—the French air clears up the brain and does good—a world of good.

There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, and if it became worse and harder even—the French air clears up the brain and does good—a world of good.

Vincent van Gogh
What preys on my mind is simply this one question: what am I good for, could I not be of service or use in some way?

What preys on my mind is simply this one question: what am I good for, could I not be of service or use in some way?

Vincent van Gogh
An artist needn't be a clergyman or a church warden, but he must have a warm heart for his fellow men

An artist needn't be a clergyman or a church warden, but he must have a warm heart for his fellow men

Vincent van Gogh
We are surrounded by poetry on all sides...

We are surrounded by poetry on all sides...

Vincent van Gogh
I long so much to make beautiful things. But beautiful things require effort and disappointment and perseverance.

I long so much to make beautiful things. But beautiful things require effort and disappointment and perseverance.

Vincent van Gogh
How right it is to love flowers and the greenery of pines and ivy and hawthorn hedges; they have been with us from the very beginning.

How right it is to love flowers and the greenery of pines and ivy and hawthorn hedges; they have been with us from the very beginning.

Vincent van Gogh
If I cease searching, then, woe is me, I am lost. That is how I look at it - keep going, keep going come what may.

If I cease searching, then, woe is me, I am lost. That is how I look at it - keep going, keep going come what may.

Vincent van Gogh
Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, pure harmony and music inside me.

Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, pure harmony and music inside me.

Vincent van Gogh
How rich art is, if one can only remember what one has seen, one is never empty of thoughts or truly lonely, never alone.

How rich art is, if one can only remember what one has seen, one is never empty of thoughts or truly lonely, never alone.

Vincent van Gogh
Both she and I have grief enough and trouble enough, but as for regrets – neither of us have any.

Both she and I have grief enough and trouble enough, but as for regrets – neither of us have any.

Vincent van Gogh
The more ugly, old, nasty, ill, and poor I become the more I want to get my own back by producing vibrant, well-arranged, radiant colour.

The more ugly, old, nasty, ill, and poor I become the more I want to get my own back by producing vibrant, well-arranged, radiant colour.

Vincent van Gogh
It is not only by one's impulses that one achieves greatness, but also by patiently filing away the steel wall that separates what one feels from what one is capable of doing.

It is not only by one's impulses that one achieves greatness, but also by patiently filing away the steel wall that separates what one feels from what one is capable of doing.

Vincent van Gogh
The more you love, the more you suffer

The more you love, the more you suffer

Vincent van Gogh
It's better to have a gay life of it than to commit suicide.

It's better to have a gay life of it than to commit suicide.

Vincent van Gogh
To do good work one must eat well, be well housed, have one's fling from time to time, smoke one's pipe, and drink one's coffee in peace

To do good work one must eat well, be well housed, have one's fling from time to time, smoke one's pipe, and drink one's coffee in peace

Vincent van Gogh
If one loves nature one finds beauty everywhere.

If one loves nature one finds beauty everywhere.

Vincent van Gogh
There are two ways of reasoning about painting: how to do it and how not to do it; how to d it with great deal of drawing and not much colour, how not to do it with a great deal of colour and not much drawing.

There are two ways of reasoning about painting: how to do it and how not to do it; how to d it with great deal of drawing and not much colour, how not to do it with a great deal of colour and not much drawing.

Vincent van Gogh
I am not an adventurer by choice but by fate.

I am not an adventurer by choice but by fate.

Vincent van Gogh
I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.

I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.

Vincent van Gogh
I can very well do without God both in my life and in my painting, but I cannot, suffering as I am, do without something which is greater than I, which is my life, the power to create.

I can very well do without God both in my life and in my painting, but I cannot, suffering as I am, do without something which is greater than I, which is my life, the power to create.

Vincent van Gogh
It must be good to die in the knowledge that one has done some truthful work...and to know that, as a result, one will live on in the memory of at least a few and leave a good example for those who come after.

It must be good to die in the knowledge that one has done some truthful work...and to know that, as a result, one will live on in the memory of at least a few and leave a good example for those who come after.

Vincent van Gogh
I work as diligently on my canvases as the laborers do in their fields.

I work as diligently on my canvases as the laborers do in their fields.

Vincent van Gogh
That I was not suited to commerce or academic study in no way proves that I should also be unfit to be a painter.

That I was not suited to commerce or academic study in no way proves that I should also be unfit to be a painter.

Vincent van Gogh
Many painters are afraid of the blank canvas, but the blank canvas is afraid of the painter who dares and who has broken the spell of 'you can't' once and for all.

Many painters are afraid of the blank canvas, but the blank canvas is afraid of the painter who dares and who has broken the spell of 'you can't' once and for all.

Vincent van Gogh
One begins by plaguing oneself to no purpose in order to be true to nature, and one concludes by working quietly from one's own palette alone, and then nature is the result.

One begins by plaguing oneself to no purpose in order to be true to nature, and one concludes by working quietly from one's own palette alone, and then nature is the result.

Vincent van Gogh
The victory one would gain after a whole life of work and effort is better than one that is gained sooner.

The victory one would gain after a whole life of work and effort is better than one that is gained sooner.

Vincent van Gogh
I hope to depart in no other way than looking back with love and wistfulness and thinking, oh paintings that I would have made..

I hope to depart in no other way than looking back with love and wistfulness and thinking, oh paintings that I would have made..

Vincent van Gogh
I wanted to make people think of a totally different way of living from that which we, educated people, live. I would absolutely not want anyone to find it beautiful or good without a thought.

I wanted to make people think of a totally different way of living from that which we, educated people, live. I would absolutely not want anyone to find it beautiful or good without a thought.

Vincent van Gogh