The first thing to do in life is to do with purpose what one purposes to do.

How could anybody think of Bach as 'cold' when these [cello] suites seem to shine with the most glittering kind of poetry," Casals said. "As I got on with the study I discovered a new world of space and beauty... the feelings I experienced were among the purest and most intense in my artistic life!

Don't play the notes. Play the meaning of the notes.

Each person has inside a basic decency and goodness. If he listens to it and acts on it, he is giving a great deal of what it is the world needs most. It is not complicated but it takes courage. It takes courage for a person to listen to his own goodness and act on it.

The most important thing in music is what is not in the notes.

To live is not enough; we must take part.

The only weapons I ever had were my cello and my baton.