“A guilty conscience needs to confess. A work of art is a confession.”

“The act of love is a confession.”

“I am too much in love with my lies and hypocrisies not to confess them fervently.”

“we rarely confide in those who are better than we. Rather, we are more inclined to flee their society. Most often, on the other hand, we confess to those who are like us and who share our weaknesses. Hence we don't want to improve ourselves and be bettered, for we should first have to be judged in default. We merely wish to be pitied and encouraged in the course we have chosen. In short, we should like, at the same time, to cease being guilty and yet not to make the effort of cleansing ourselves.”

“Works of art are not born in flashes of inspiration but in daily fidelity.”

“In order to be created, a work of art must first make use of the dark forces of the soul”

“I'm the only true artist Rome has known - the only one, believe me - to match his inspiration with his deeds.CHEREA: That's only a matter of having the power.CALIGULA: Quite true. Other artists create to compensate for their lack of power. I don't need to make a work of art; I live it.”