Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable. Minor things can become moments of great revelation when encountered for the first time. The one important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative and the second is disastrous.
Great artists are people who find the way to be themselves in their art.
Any sort of pretension induces mediocrity in art and life alike. Scroll down for sources of quotations and special search engines. Choose from a dozen bookstores in English, French and German. Search the Web.