Roland Barthes Quotes

The brightest flame casts the darkest shadow.

I sense Light as the giver of all presences, and material as spent Light. What is made by Light casts a shadow, and the shadow belongs to Light.

The minute I knew I was in love was the minute when there was no question about it.

I believe in the resistance as I believe there can be no light without shadow; or rather, no shadow unless there is also light.

Technique isn't important. Technique is in the blood. Events and mood are more important than good light and the happening is what is important

Our ideals, like pictures, are made from lights and shadows.

You may have noticed that the less I know about a subject the more confidence I have, and the more new light I throw on it.

Either you understand or you don't, and that is that.

The Enlightenment needs more shadow; the Romantic Movement less.

As paradoxical as it may seem a great sculptor is as much a colourist as the best painter, or rather the best engraver. He plays so skillfully with all the resources of relief, he blends so well the boldness of light with the modesty of shadow, that his sculptures please one, as much as the most charming etchings.

Darkness is absence of light. Shadow is diminution of light.

In a face, look for the main light and the main shadow; the rest will come naturally — it's often not important. And then you must cultivate your memory, because Nature will only provide you with references. Nature is like a warden in a lunatic asylum. It stops you from becoming banal.

The world is in balance . To light a candle is to cast a shadow.

The more mysterious, the more imperfect; as darkness is, in comparison with light--so is mystery, in comparison with knowledge.

When you light a candle, you also cast a shadow.

For the Warrior of the Light, there are no abstractions.

Where doubt there truth is - 'tis her shadow.

A luminous body will appear more brilliant in proportion as it is surrounded by deeper shadow.

To see a candle's light one must take it into a dark place.

Even in art, there is no light without shadows, and no shadows are cast without some light. Even the shadow of Adolf Hitler is accompanied by some light.

I do not want to found anything on the incomprehensible. I want to know whether I can live with what I know and with that alone.

Where the light is brightest, the shadows are deepest.

Blessed are those who have known meditation. Only those few people are the blessed people; others are simply groping in darkness. Meditation gives you an inner light, and then wherever you are there is light and whatsoever you do, you do in full light and clarity. Hence there is never any guilt, no repentance, no looking back. Whatsoever one does, one feels that's the only thing that can be done. It is always right.

I see only forms that are lit up and forms that are not. There is only light and shadow.

I'm interested in the landscape of the face, the way in which light and shadow fall across the forms. That's really my subject matter.