Only the flint of a man's mind can strike fire in music.

Artists who have won fame are often embarrassed by it; thus their first works are often their best.

It is my belief one should not belittle the artist; while, however glorious his fame may seem, his time on Mount Olympus as an honourable guest of Zeus is short. It's a pity, but all too eager will the common folk drag him from this etherial heights to the low and trodden earth.

Of all my children, this is the one that cost me the worst birth-pangs and brought me the most sorrow; and for that reason it is the one most dear to me.

We all make mistakes, but everyone makes different mistakes

Men are not only together when they are with each other; even the distant and the dead live with us.

I liked your opera. I think I will set it to music.