But I, Caesar, have not sought to amass wealth by the practice of my art, having been rather contented with a small fortune and reputation, than desirous of abundance accompanied by a want of reputation.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I, therefore, O Caesar, do not publish this work, merely prefixing my name to a treatise which of right belongs to others, nor think of acquiring reputation by finding fault with the works of any one.
The history of Rome presents various men of greater genius than Scipio Aemilianus, but none equalling him in moral purity, in the utter absence of political selfishness, in generous love of his country, and none, perhaps, to whom destiny has assigned a more tragic part.
It has been my fate in a long life of production to be credited chiefly with the equivocal virtue of industry, a quality so excellent in morals, so little satisfactory in art.
Caesar was a man of great common sense and good taste, meaning thereby a man without originality or moral courage.
I do not ask for the riches that perish or the fame that fades away like a morning mist.
My wealth is not a subject I relish discussing.
If you try to go beyond your interests just for the sake of pretensions or wealth, your art becomes less legitimate.
In praising Antony I have dispraised Caesar.
If you don't work yourself up into a fever of greed and covetousness in an art museum, you're just not doing the job.
He does not possess wealth; it possesses him.