When you swear, swear seriously and solemnly, but at the same time with a smile, for a smile is the twin sister of seriousness.
If there is no contradictory impression, there is nothing to awaken reflection
The flute is not an instrument that has a good moral effect - it is too exciting.
The mere athlete becomes too much of a savage.
For the rhapsode ought to interpret the mind of the poet to his hearers, but how can he interpret him well unless he knows what he means?
The man who arrives at the doors of artistic creation with none of the madness of the Muses would be convinced that technical ability alone was enough to make an artist... what that man creates by means of reason will pale before the art of inspired beings.