Jazz is the music of the body.

But the artist persists because he has the will to create, and this is the magic power which can transform and transfigure and transpose and which will ultimately be transmitted to others.

To commit suicide is easy. To live without a god is more difficult. The drunkenness of triumph is greater than the drunkenness of sacrifice.

I take pleasure in my transformations. I look quiet and consistent, but few know how many women there are in me.

Pain is something to master, not to wallow in.

While analyzing so many people I realized the constant need of a mother, or a father, or a god (the same thing) is really immaturity. It is a childish need, a human need, but so universal that I can see how it gave birth to all religions.

The body is an instrument which only gives off music when it is used as a body.