The members of the jury have rejected me. Therefore I have no talent… I must die.
~ Suicide note of painter Jules Holtzapffel, 1866
The consolation of never submitting your work for judgment by the Salon is that you can reach old age imagining you might, after all, be the greatest talent that ever lived.
The New Psalmanazar 
Fascinating quote, and a nice subsequent point as well.
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