..when I heard that he would come next day [his regular art-seller Buf — Jozef Israëls

"..an original Jewish art can only come into existence when the Jews have own ground under their feet and live in freedom [Bainin asked him: is that not what Zionism wants to reach?] Yes, Zionism is a noble thought, but who knows whether they will reach their goal? Herzl visited me [in The Hague, Oct. 1898], he is a noble man and believes in his idea. But who will know.. .Now it is our duty to fight against Antisemitism, to protest against the injustice and violence that is done to us.. ..what is the essence of Jewish art should be determined by writers and art critics: we painters must work and not philosophize. (translation from the original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)"

"Who would ever forget the sensation that once gave us [in 1884] the tremendous cold of the old woman [ in the painting Als men oud wordt, 1883 ].. ..[at] an almost burnt-out fire,. .What an expression in those hands.. .And what a masterpiece is that old cape.. (translation from the original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)"

"..isnt 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 [magazine] Nieuws van de Dag -, who thought the Old woman in front of the hearth [painting of Israels].. ..- how beautifully painted - was as sickening subject. - Furthermore, Alberd. Thijm [Dutch art-critic and very critical of Israels often applied dejection] was also raving strongly about my pulling down of the togs of the poor people. Well-roared, lion, I thought - well understood [ironic!] for what reason I painted it.. (translation from the original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)"

"But I have to tell you what I saw.. .I had entered a dark room [in the city Tunis], lit by a small, elongated horizontal window,. .The light cut sharply.. ..and drew itself on the stone floor.. .There behind the table was sitting the Jewish scribe with his arms forward, leaning on the parchment. He turned his lordly head in my direction.. .It was a beautiful head, delicate and translucent pale as alabaster, large and small wrinkles were lining along the small eyes and around the big curved hawk nose. A black cap covered the white skull and a low white-yellow beard lay in large tufts over the written parchment.. .two crutches lay slantingly on the floor beside him. How much I desired to get my sketchbook out.. ..but in front of the staring gaze of the scribe, I didnt find the courage to carry out my intention. (translation from the original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)"

"It seemed to you [his brother Theo van Gogh ] perhaps as if the sun shone brighter and everything had acquired a new charm. At any rate, I believe this is always the effect of a serious love [with Sien,] and thats a delightful thing.. .I can find no words for how beautiful the old courtyards are here [in The Hague]. And although Jozef Israëls does it perfectly, so to speak, I find it strange that so relatively few pay them any attention. Here in The Hague every day, so to speak, I see a world which a great many pass by and which is very different from what most [painters of the Hague School are making.. .Oh, but those filthy folk or that sort of people - in short, expressions one wouldnt expect from a painter."

"Too literary. (translation from the original Dutch: Fons Heijnsbroek)"