The principal thing is that I make progress

And if I should gradually succeed in earning something, that would not be unpleasant at all, though the principal thing is that I make progress and that my drawing becomes stronger - then everything will come right sooner or later. Models are expensive, at least relatively expensive, and if I had money enough to have them often, I should be able to work much better. But then a studio becomes indispensable. And people like Mr. Tersteeg, Theo, and others know that quite well. Well, I must wait until they write me what they think, and meanwhile do what I can.

To His Parents, from Brussels, 16 February 1881, Letter 141
Translation courtesy of Robert Harrison.
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