You may have the universe if I may have Italy.

It may be a good thing to copy reality; but to invent reality is much, much better.

The artist must yield himself to his own inspiraton, and if he has a true talent, no one knows and feels better than he what suits him.

I have striven for perfection, it has always eluded me, but I surely had an obligation to make one more try.

Oh blessed a thousand times the peasant who is born, eats and dies without anybody bothering about his affairs.

Of all composers, past and present, I am the least learned. I mean that in all seriousness, and by learning I do not mean knowledge of music.

The artist must yield himself to his own inspiration... I should compose with utter confidence a subject that set my musical blood going, even though it were condemned by all other artists as anti-musical.