Francis Ford Coppola Quotes

Art is about expressing the true nature of the human spirit in whatever way one wishes to express it. If it is honest, it is beautiful. If it is not honest, it is obvious.

I want that every piece of art be honest, never mind what it is about.

An artist cannot be partially sincere any more than art can be an approximation of beauty.

I want to be remembered as an artist that gave you a piece of me, as opposed to some surface bullshit. I just want to be remembered as a poet that was open and honest because I wake up every morning and I'm me.

My art is just an effort to express the truth of my being in gesture and movement. It has taken me long years to find even one absolutely true movement.

In a world of lies and liars, an honest work of art is always an act of social responsibility.

I feel like you can't really be truthful as an artist and empathize with the human experience, unless you know your truth and you're not living a lie. So I'm learning through it, and it's making me a better person, and it's making me a better artist, I think.

I am quite certain in my heart of hearts that modern music and modern art is not a conspiracy, but is a form of truth and integrity for those who practise it honestly, decently and with all their being.

Be careful that you do not write or paint anything that is not your own, that you don't know in your own soul.

Nothing can be beautiful which is not true.

The only thing you can really say in a poem is what you really, really deeply believe.

What is called a sincere work is one that is endowed with enough strength to give reality to an illusion.

I prefer drawing to talking. Drawing is faster, and leaves less room for lies.

Being honest is my job. That's what music is for me.

Learn your instrument. Be honest. Don't do anything phony. There is so much crap floating around. There is plenty of room for a bit of honest writing.

Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.

Drawing is the honesty of the art. There is no possibility of cheating. It is either good or bad.

There are two ways to worry words. One is hoping for the greatest possible beauty in what is created. The other is to tell the truth.

I'm a writer. My job is to speak what - that which I think is true. If that bridges the gap, that's good. If it doesn't, that's too bad.

Lying and art are very allied. But after you lie, you get to the truth.

My music definitely comes from a place of experience. Everything connects to a truth.

I think art is much more valuable when it's honest. If it's not honest, it's just propaganda.

I owe you the truth in painting, and I will tell it to you.

It's good to be employable, but I hope to show the truth. The paintings seem true because nobody wants me to do them.

A poet's first contract is with truth.