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.

My heart pounds sickeningly and I turn pale... I often feel as if I were dead... I seem to be losing my mind.

Play always as if in the presence of a master.

You should neither play bad compositions, nor, unless compelled, listen to them.

You should diligently play scales and fingerpractices. There are many, however, who believe they'll achieve all, by practicing daily on technique for hours on end, up till high age. It's like practicing every day to enumerate the alfabet faster and faster. One would think one could make better use of their valuable time.

Remember, there are more people in the world than yourself. Be modest! You have not yet invented nor thought anything which others have not thought or invented before. And should you really have done so, consider it a gift of heaven which you are to share with others.

If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble. therefore, respect every musician in his proper place.