When I wished to sing of love, it turned to sorrow. And when I wished to sing of sorrow, it was transformed for me into love.

You believe happiness to be derived from the place in which once you have been happy, but in truth it is centered in ourselves.

A man endures misfortune without complaint.

What a picture of a better world you have given us, Mozart!

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.

There is no such thing as happy music.

Every night when I go to bed, I hope that I may never wake again, and every morning renews my grief.