I have always reckoned myself among the greatest admirers of Mozart, and shall do so till the day of my death.

Händel is the greatest and ablest of all composers; from him I can still learn.

How glad I am to be able to roam in the wood and thicket, among trees and flowers and rocks ... in the country, every tree seems to speak to me, saying, "Holy! Holy", in the woods, there is enchantment which expresses all things.

Oh you men who think or say that I am malevolent, stubborn, or misanthropic, how greatly do you wrong me. You do not know the secret cause which makes me seem that way to you. Oh how harshly was I flung back by the doubly sad experience of my bad hearing.

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

Whoever tells a lie is not pure of heart, and such a person can not cook a clean soup.

I shall seize fate by the throat.