I joyfully hasten to meet death. If it come before I have had opportunity to develop all my artistic faculties, it will come, my hard fate notwithstanding, too soon, and I should probably wish it later - yet even then I shall be happy, for will it not deliver me from a state of endless suffering?

Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.

This is the mark of a really admirable man: steadfastness in the face of trouble.

There ought to be an artistic depot where the artist need only hand in his artwork in order to receive what he asks for. As things are, one must be half a business man, and how can one understand - good heavens! - that's what I really call troublesome.

The true artist is not proud: he unfortunately sees that art has no limits; he feels darkly how far he is from the goal, and though he may be admired by others, he is sad not to have reached that point to which his better genius only appears as a distant, guiding sun.

Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.

Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.

Music comes to me more readily than words.

Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.

Art! Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess?

Music is the wine which inspires one to new generative processes, and I am Bacchus who presses out this glorious wine for mankind and makes them spiritually drunken.

Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.

Recommend virtue to your children; it alone, not money, can make them happy. I speak from experience.

Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.

Tones sound, and roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes.

Off with you! You're a happy fellow, for you'll give happiness and joy to many other people. There is nothing better or greater than that!