Andrei Rublev (1966)

Ivan Lapikov: Kirill

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Quotes 

• Kirill : [admiring one of Feofan's icon paintings]  As Epiphanius said in "The Life of Saint Sergeius," "Simplicity, without gaudiness." That is what this is. It's sacred... Simplicity, without gaudiness - you can't say it better.

  Feofan Grek : I see you are a wise man.

  Kirill : If so, is that a good thing? If one is ignorant, isn't it better to be guided by one's heart?

  Feofan Grek : In much wisdom there is much grief. And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

• Kirill : Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth and the thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth. Walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes but know that for all these God will bring thee into judgment. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth before the difficult days come and the years draw nigh when thou shalt say "I have no pleasure in them." Remember thy creator before the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken or the pitcher shattered at the fountain or the wheel broken at the well. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. "Vanity of vanities," saith the preacher; "All is vanity."

• Kirill : There is no truth in the world. The devil tempted me. I can't continue sinning and you cannot live out in the world without sinning. There is sin and dirt all around.

• Kirill : Go to the Trinity Cathedral and paint, paint, paint! Don't burden your soul, for it is an awful sin to deny the divine spark. If Feofan were alive, wouldn't he say the same thing? Look at me. Look at the ungifted one. Why do you think I returned? For a crust of bread, to finish my life in peace. I shall die soon and nothing will remain after me. And I know that I will die soon. Nor have you much longer to live. Do you want to take your talent to the grave? Why are you silent, Andrei?

• Kirill : It is rightly said, You can grasp the essence of every thing if you name it correctly.

• Kirill : I haven't touched a book for over two years. And I'm not going to. Mine is a different path.