I don't know where there can be so many pianists as in Paris, so many asses and so many virtuosi.

Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties.

I really don't know whether any place contains more pianists than Paris, or whether you can find more asses and virtuosos anywhere.

Man is never always happy, and very often only a brief period of happiness is granted him in this world; so why escape from this dream which cannot last long?

Vienna is a handsome, lively city, and pleases me exceedingly.

We fell silent and all joking ceased. We gazed mutely into each other's eyes and an intense longing for the fullest avowal of the truth forced us to a confession, requiring no words whatever, or the incommensurable misfortune that weighed upon us. With tears and sobs we sealed a vow to belong to each other alone.

I don't know how it is, but the Germans are amazed at me and I am amazed at them for finding anything to be amazed about.