Never was I so devout as when I composed The Creation. I knelt down each day to pray to God to give me strength for my work....When I was working on The Creation I felt so impregnated with Divine certainty, that before sitting down to the piano, I would quietly and confidently pray to God to grant me the talent that was needed to praise Him worthily.

Young people can learn from my example that something can come from nothing. What I have become is the result of my hard efforts.

When I think of my God, my heart dances within me for joy, and then my music has to dance, too.

I would give my best quartet for a good razor.

Rules are my very humble, obedient servants.

It is the melody which is the charm of music, and it is that which is most difficult to produce. The invention of a fine melody is a work of genius.

Cheer up, children, I am all right.