What immense satisfaction it must be to fashion a story like [Maupassant's]! One must say 'fashion' because it is not merely writing, but massing and cutting away like a sculptor, chiseling lean and clear. And to put one's work confidently in the crucible of Time; to know that in six perfect pages is the finest form of one's idea: This satisfaction is the only true reward of the artist, and this his highest possible joy on Earth.

~ Patricia Highsmith

Patricia Highsmith Artist Chiseling Clear Confidence Cutting Finest Form Joy Lean Massing Perfect Reward Satisfaction Sculpting Sculptor Story Time Writing

A real friend is one who helps us to think our best thoughts, do our noblest deeds, and be our finest selves.

~ Elizabeth George

Elizabeth George Best Blessed Christian Deed Faith Finest Friend God Help Noble Real Self Think Thoughts

There is hardly a limit to the knowledge and sympathy a man may have in respect of the finest things, and yet be a fool. Sympathy is not harmony. A man may be a poet even, and speak with the tongue of an angel, and yet be a very bad fool.

~ George Macdonald

George Macdonald Finest Fool Poetry Refinement Understanding

You are the forward edge of life's advancement, in this moment in time you are the finest expression of life's brilliance.

~ Bryant Mcgill

Bryant Mcgill Advancement Brilliance Expression Finest Life Moment