Confidence and courage are special skills to the art ... Within the four walls of his study, the artist should be modest, work diligently and conscientiously. While for the public, he'll show himself audacious, yes even into cheerful boldness. And so a new public's darling has arisen.

We shouldn't repeat the same for ages on end, but look into the new as well.

Talent works, genius creates.

That first concept is alway the most naturally and best. The mind errs, the emotion never.

Music induces nightingales to sing, pug dogs to yelp.

For me Wagner is impossible... he talks without ever stopping. One can't just talk all the time.

Let your intimate friends be chosen from such as are better informed than yourself.