In the career of a prodigy there invariably comes a time when it is compelled to relinquish being very clever for a child, and has to enter the business of life in competition with adults.

the way to wean any one from a desire is not by condemnation of it.

Cowards always drag in the Bible to back theirselves up far more than proper people does.

... no problem except old age ever vanquished my mother.

There are only two kinds of parents. Those who think their offspring can do nothing wrong, and those who think they can do nothing right.

If the souls of lives were voiced in music, there are some that none but a great organ could express, others the clash of a full orchestra, a few to which nought but the refined and exquisite sadness of a violin could do justice. Many might be likened unto common pianos, jangling and out of tune, and some to the feeble piping of a penny whistle, and mine could be told with a couple of nails in a rusty tin-pot.

It is the highest form of culture and craftmanship in art to use local materials. That way you stand a chance of adding to culture. The other way you are in danger of merely imitating it.