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

Why does God endow us with compassion?

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.

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

No one really understands the grief or joy of another. We always imagine that we are approaching some other, but our lines of travel are actually parallel.

I try to decorate my imagination as much as I can.

I am composing like a god, as if it simply had to be done as it has been done.