While holding a keen eye on all the yelling at the markets, let's prefer to stay away from many of those things that attract at times other painters … - Jan Mankes

You know the tender side of my work. That side was always dominating me. I feel the joy of that tenderness most strongly when I think of a finch-nest with cobweb and lichen on a May-morning. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)

(original Dutch: citaat van Jan Mankes, in het Nederlands:) Laten we, scherp oplettende buiten alle marktgeschreeuw te blijven, ons liever buiten veel van die dingen houden die andere schilders soms aantrekken; om desnoods onbekend rustig door te kunnen werken tot tijd en wijle.

I have finished a fairly large painting, the goat; I sometimes spoke to you about my plan. I believe it has become a real painting, and very complete. (translation from original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)