Real understanding does not come from what we learn in books; it comes from what we learn from love of nature, of music, of man. For only what is learned in that way is truly understood.

I do not think a day passes in my life in which I fail to look with fresh amazement at the miracle of nature.

Throughout my career, nervousness and stage-fright have never left me before playing. And each of the thousands of concerts I have played at, I feel as bad as I did the very first time.

The earth becomes heaven when you release your fear. The main thing in life is not to be afraid of being human.

To retire is the beginning of death.

Don’t be vain because you happen to have talent. You are not responsible for that; it was not of your doing. What you do with your talent is what matters.

You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.