A feeble mind, conscious of its own feebleness, grows feeble under that very consciousness. As soon as the power of fear becomes known to it, there follows the fear of fear, and, on the first perturbation, reason abandons it.

At least I have the modesty to admit that lack of modesty is one of my failings.

Which of the two powers, Love or Music, can elevate man to the sublimest heights? ... It is a problem, and yet it seems to me that this is the answer: 'Love can give no idea of music; music can give an idea of love.' ... Why separate them? They are two wings of the soul.

It is not enough that the artist should be well prepared for the public. The public must be well prepared for what it is going to hear.

Love cannot express the idea of music, while music may give an idea of love

A feeble mind, conscious of its own feebleness, grows feeble under that very consciousness. As soon as the power of fear becomes known to it, there follows the fear of fear, and, on the first perturbation, reason abandons it.

Every composer knows the anguish and despair occasioned by forgetting ideas which one had no time to write down.