Above all things, I must not get angry. If I do get angry I knock all the teeth out of the mouth of the poor wretch who has angered me.

Nobody understands another's sorrow, and nobody another's joy.

Who can do anything after Beethoven?

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

No one feels another's grief.

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.

I am in the world only for the purpose of composing.