Adnan Sami Quotes

The artist is something of an outsider in America. I have always felt that America does not value its artists, certainly not in the sense that the Europeans do.

Certainly, in Italy, nobody takes light for granted.

Opera is a beautiful and important diversion for me.

Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good plays, good company, good conversation - what are they? They are the happiest people in the world.

I believe that what we call beautiful is generally a by-product.

Men of ill judgment ignore the good that lies within their hands, till they have lost it.

For you who no longer posses it, freedom is everything, for us who do, it is merely an illusion.

Health is not valued till sickness comes

No country is fully civilized which cannot appreciate its artists. They make a contribution not just to the entertainment side of life, but to the educational, economic and spiritual sides.

The pilgrim is humble and devout, and human, and charitable, and ready to smile and admire; therefore, he should comprehend the whole of his way, the people in it, and the hills and the clouds, and the habits of the various cities.

Sometimes the European and North American public like some things to be exotic and kept at arm's length. They don't want sometimes to know that foreign artists are doing something that's at least as relevant as what's being done here.

We try to use the talents we do have to express our deep feelings, to show our appreciation of all the contributions that came before us, and to add something to that flow. That's what's driven me.

Still young and fine! but what is still in view We slight as old and soil'd, though fresh and new.

Let not things, because they are common, enjoy for that the less share of our consideration.

It's funny, but have you ever noticed that the more special something is, the more people seem to take it for granted? It's like they think it won't ever change. Just like this house here. All it ever needed was a little attention, and it would never have ended up like this in the first place.

In Europe they understand that the arts are incredibly important both culturally and economically.

The measure of a man's culture is the measure of his appreciation. We are ourselves what we appreciate and no more.

How many a thing which we cast to the ground, When others pick it up, becomes a gem!

The greatest gains and values are farthest from being appreciated. We easily come to doubt if they exist. We soon forget them. They are the highest reality.

Why should you feel honored for getting scraps of his time?

There is a strong feeling in the Middle West that the artist is not pulling his own weight no matter how hard he may work, that the other people are doing the real stuff.

America is concerned more with the possibility of moon folks than the reality of hungry poor folks.

Money and art are far apart.

Drink wine, drink poetry, drink virtue.