Those, however, who act in this way naturally, because their profession obliges them to lead a recluse life, or because their character rebels against feigned politenesses and conventional usage, ought in common justice to be tolerated.

What claim by right have you on him?
Why should you force him to take part in those vain pastimes, which his love for a quiet life induces him to shun?
Do you not know that there are sciences which demand the whole of a man, without leaving the least portion of his spirit free for your distractions ?" This apology for his own life, couched in a vindication of the artistic temperament, breathes an accent of sincerity, and paints Michelangelo as he really was, with his somewhat haughty sense of personal dignity.

What he says about his absence of mind in the presence of great princes might be illustrated by a remark attributed to Clement VII.

"When Buonarroti comes to see me, I always take a seat and bid him to be seated, feeling sure that he will do so without leave or license." The conversation passed by natural degrees to a consideration of the fine arts in general.

In the course of this discussion, Michelangelo uttered several characteristic opinions, strongly maintaining the superiority of the Italian to the Flemish and German schools, and asserting his belief that, while all objects are worthy of imitation by the artist, the real touch stone of excellence lies in his power to represent the human form.