If such a gift I truly have been given And yet, divided, torn, still burn and stray He is to blame who fashioned me for fire. - Michelangelo

The sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.

si zi de zi, mahnindu-l viitorul, la gandul mortii tresarind exulta si intre teama si nadejde tine pe cai imaginare sa-si ia zborul.

Precious is sleep, better to be of stone,
while the oppression and the shame still last;
not seeing and not hearing, I am blest;
so do not wake me, hush! keep your voice down.