My whole life has been a twenty years struggle between poetry and prose, or, if you like to call it so, Music and Law.

Nothing right can be accomplished in art without enthusiasm.

When young, one learns his craftsmanship, may become a young master, and it is youth that is most auspicious for developing certain skills.

When you play, do not trouble yourself as to who is listening. Yet always play as though a master listened to you.

I was a God-fearing child, innocent and physically attractive.

People compose for many reasons, to become immortal; because the piano happens to be open; because they want to become a millionaire; because of the praise of friends; because they have looked into a pair of beautiful eyes; or for no reason whatsoever.

It is the curse of talent that, although it labors with greater steadiness and perseverance than genius, it does not reach its goal, while genius already on the summit of the ideal, gazes laughingly about.