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 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
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
There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!
—Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822) English Poet, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist
He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
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
Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
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, Novelist
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
Happiness is mental harmony; unhappiness is mental inharmony.
—Indian Proverb
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
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
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
What the discordant harmony of circumstances would and could effect.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Harmony is pure love, for love is complete agreement.
—Lope de Vega (1562–1635) Spanish Playwright, Poet, Writer
Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
The Three Rules of Work: 1. Out of clutter, find simplicity. 2. From discord, find harmony. 3. In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
To seek, beneath the universal strife, the hidden harmony of things.
—William C. Durant (1861–1947) American Industrialist
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
Harmony is one phase of the law whose spiritual expression is love.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Harmony with the land is like harmony with a friend. You cannot cherish his right hand and chop off his left. That is to say you cannot have game and hate predators. The land is one organism.
—Aldo Leopold (1887–1948) American Ecologist, Conservationist
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
An instrument in harmony with the sentiments of an assassin.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
A successful work of art is not one which resolves contradictions in a spurious harmony, but one which expresses the idea of harmony negatively by embodying the contradictions, pure and uncompromised, in its innermost structure.
—Theodor W. Adorno (1903–69) German Philosopher, Composer
The unlike is joined together, and from differences results the most beautiful harmony.
—Heraclitus (535BCE–475BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well. There is nothing more potent than thought. Deed follows word and word follows thought. The word is the result of a mighty thought, and where the thought is mighty and pure the result is always mighty and pure.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Harmony with nature will bring you a happiness known to few city dwellers. In the company of other truth seekers it will be easier for you to meditate and think of God.
—Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) Indian Hindu Mystic, Philosopher, Religious Leader
The way of the Creative works through change and transformation, so that each thing receives its true nature and destiny and comes into permanent accord with the great harmony: this is what furthers and what perseveres.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
A life in harmony with nature, the love of truth and virtue, will purge the eyes to understanding her text.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Then, there’s the modern mother-in-law. In her mid 40s, she is the compact car of her breed: efficient, trim, attractive and in harmony with her times. She’s pretty stiff competition for the plain young matron who’s overweight and under-financed. If there is going to be friction in this relationship, it could start from envy and resentment in the younger woman. But Father Time is on her side, even if Mother Nature played her a dirty trick.
—Pauline Phillips (Abigail van Buren) (1918–2013) American Advice Columnist, Radio Personality
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