I hold these truths to be self-evident:

Breon O’Casey with due reverence (or not) to the early parts of Thomas Jefferson

That there is such a thing as good art, and it has a permanent intrinsic value.

That beauty is not in the eye of the beholder.

That at least 90% of contemporary art at a time in history, without strong traditions, is bad art.

That good contemporary art must always have a small following, and that this is a good thing.

That I have never met a child, and I don’t believe one exists, who is not an artist.

That evolution is a continuous process that is so slow it can be ignored.

That God won’t help us out in our troubles.

That all won’t necessarily come out right in the end.

That it really doesn’t profit a man a damned thing if, in gaining the world, he loses his soul.

That paradise is possible.

That kicking a ball is not a full-time job for any man.

That the purpose of teaching is to hand on the knowledge learned by our ancestors.

That civilisation is bought at a price, and the price is a heavy one.

That vanity is the most dangerous of sins, and humility the most valuable of virtues.

That extravagance can be a virtue.

That laziness is a virtue.

That an artist should do his own dirty work.

That the grumpy old man is as important as the rebellious youth.

That art critics are contemptible.

That there is nothing new under the sun, but an infinity of arrangements.