"..isn't it stupid that what you were writing in your article is still understood by so few people. Among others there was somebody - I believe in the 'Nieuws van de Dag' -, who thought the 'Old woman in front of the hearth' .. ..- how beautifully painted - was as sickening subject. - Furthermore, Alberd. Thijm was also raving strongly about my pulling down of the togs of the poor people. Well-roared, lion, I thought - well understood for what reason I painted it.."

“Actually I don't have any painting at home.. ..they take away everything from me, almost before it's finished.. .That Jewish scribe there, is sold to Buffa, and it isn't finished at all yet. And this 'Kolen lossen' is also sold.. .Then I have here 'The Mowers' - just set up.. .And that drawing here, will be a good piece too!. .That will become a large painting: a 'Jewish Wedding' - at the moment the groom puts the ring on the finger of his bride.. ..you can't see very much yet, do you?”

“That is always difficult and can only become a potboiler.”

“The old clothing-jew I made, was a Jew. But not because he was a Jew I painted him -.. ..a painter paints like a painter and not because he is a Jew.. .”

“..the owner .. ..had to hear a lot of comments about it, they called it the apotheosis of a cape, the figure much too big for the frame, etc. etc. so they advised him to exchange it for one of my other works.”

“Take care for purity in the paint and not so stinky thick of grease, thin, thin, thin! And just on the light here and there a small push of thick .. ..thick house-interiors are unpleasant - long drawing before you start and arrange pleasantly together all things before you start to paint - if the money does not bother you, it is always useful to visit Rott. .”

“Isaac and Liebermann had a lot of hassle with horses at the beach during the summer and I also got a wipe of it..”