The pursuit of excellence is not vanity; it is self-respect. - Isabella d'Este

"The pursuit of excellence is not vanity; it is self-respect."

Isabella d'Este Perseverance

Patron Duchess Collector Italian 1474–1539

More from Isabella d'Este

"I am Isabella d'Este, and I bow to no one but God and the Pope."

"Art is the highest expression of the human spirit."

"A woman's intellect is as capable as a man's, if given the opportunity."

"I collect beauty as others collect gold."

"Perseverance is the key to success."

"Don't give up on what you believe in."

"I've been through worse."

"You learn to live with the pain."