It takes courage for people to listen to their own goodness and act on it.

There is no substitute for work; what seems ease of performance comes from the greatest labor.

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

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.

Every wrong seems possible today, and is accepted. I don't accept it.

I have always regarded manual labour as creative and looked with respect-and, yes, wonder-at people who work with their hands. It seems to me that their creativity is no less than that of a violinist or painter.

The art of not playing in tempo--one has to learn it. And the art of not playing what is written on the printed paper.