Why does God endow us with compassion?

I want you for always...days, years, eternities.

Easy mind, light heart. A mind that is too easy hides a heart that is too heavy.

My compositions spring from my sorrows. Those that give the world the greatest delight were born of my deepest griefs.

I never force myself to be devout except when I feel so inspired, and never compose hymns of prayers unless I feel within me real and true devotion.

It sometimes seems to me as if I do not belong to this world at all. I deplore music that engenders in people not love but madness: which rouses them to scornful laughter instead of lifting their thoughts to God.

There is no such thing as happy music.