To retire is to begin to die.

The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?

For me, Bach is like Shakespeare. He has known all and felt all. He is everything.

Let us not forget that the greatest composers were also the greatest thieves. They stole from everyone and everywhere.

Beauty is all about us, but how many are blind! They look at the wonder of this earth and seem to see nothing. People move hectically but give little thought to where they are going. They seek excitement ... as if they were lost and desperate.

We ought to think that we are one of the leaves of a tree, and the tree is all humanity. We cannot live without the others, without the tree.

What do we teach our children? . . . We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique . . . You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything.