When they are done right, harmony appears by itself. The more numerous and varied they are, the more the effect is obtained and agreeable to the eye.
—Paul Cezanne (1839–1906) French Painter
The unlike is joined together, and from differences results the most beautiful harmony.
—Heraclitus (535BCE–475BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
The secret of success is to be in harmony with existence, to be always calm … to let each wave of life wash us a little farther up the shore.
—Cyril Connolly (1903–74) British Literary Critic, Writer
The Gothic cathedral is a blossoming in stone subdued by the insatiable demand of harmony in man. The mountain of granite blooms into an eternal flower, with the lightness and delicate finish, as well as the aerial proportions and perspective of vegetable beauty.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Disease is an experience of mortal mind. It is fear made manifest on the body. Divine Science takes away this physical sense of discord, just as it removes a sense of moral or mental in-harmony.
—Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910) American Christian Science Religious Leader, Humanitarian, Writer
Harmony is one phase of the law whose spiritual expression is love.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
An instrument in harmony with the sentiments of an assassin.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
A painting is a symbol for the universe. Inside it, each piece relates to the other. Each piece is only answerable to the rest of that little world. So, probably in the total universe, there is that kind of total harmony, but we get only little tastes of it.
—Corita Kent (1918–86) American Artist, Graphic Artist, Educator
He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Beauty is nothing else but a just accord and mutual harmony of the members, animated by a healthful constitution.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul.
—Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) German Composer, Musician
Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
With an eye made quiet by the power of harmony, and the deep power of joy, we see into the life of things.
—William Wordsworth (1770–1850) English Poet
Everything harmonizes with me, which is harmonious to thee, o Universe. Nothing for me is too early or too late, which is in due time for thee.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
There is timing in the whole life of the warrior, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and discord. Similarly, there is timing in the Way of the merchant, in the rise and fall of capital. All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this.
—Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645) Japanese Samurai Warrior, Artist
Nature contains the elements, in colour and form, of all pictures, as the keyboard contains the notes of all music. But the artist is born to pick and choose… that the result may be beautiful—as the musician gathers his notes, and forms his chords, until he brings forth from chaos glorious harmony…
—James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834–1903) American Painter, Etcher
Life’s errors cry for the merciful beauty that can modulate their isolation into a harmony with the whole.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
The sign for which I forge an image has no value if it doesn’t harmonize with other signs, which I must determine in the course of my invention and which are completely peculiar to it.
—Henri Matisse (1869–1954) French Painter, Sculptor, Lithographer
Grant that I may become beautiful in my soul within, and that all my external possessions may be in harmony with my inner self. May I consider the wise to be rich, and may I have such riches as only a person of self-restraint can bear or endure
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
I have learned by some experience, by many examples, and by the writings of countless others before me, also occupied in the search, that certain environments, certain modes of life, certain rules of conduct are more conducive to inner and outer harmony than others. There are, in fact, certain roads that one may follow. Simplification of life is one of them.
—Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906–2001) American Aviator, Author
They say the tongues of dying men enforce attention, like deep harmony: Where words are scarce, they’re seldom spent in vain
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Just as counterpoint and harmony follow their own laws, and differ in rhythm and movement, both formal tensions and color tensions have a development of their own in accordance with the inherent laws from which they are separately derived. Both, however, aim toward the realization of the same image. And both deal with the depth problem.
—Hans Hofmann (1880–1966) German-American Painter
Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
Medicine, to produce health, has to examine disease; and music, to create harmony, must investigate discord.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
To seek, beneath the universal strife, the hidden harmony of things.
—William C. Durant (1861–1947) American Industrialist
All that is not useful in a picture is detrimental. A work of art must be harmonious in its entirety; for superfluous details would, in the mind of the beholder, encroach upon the essential elements.
—Henri Matisse (1869–1954) French Painter, Sculptor, Lithographer
My temper leads me to peace and harmony with all men; and it is peculiarly my wish to avoid any personal feuds or dissensions with those, who are embarked in the same great national interest with myself, as every difference of this kind in its consequence must be very injurious.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
In art, and in the higher ranges of science, there is a feeling of harmony which underlies all endeavor. There is no true greatness in art or science without that sense of harmony.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist