Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.

As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence . . .

All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak—and speak in such a way that people will remember it.

I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness.

You know that I immerse myself in music, so to speak- that I think about it all day long- that I like experimenting- studying- reflecting.

I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.

I write [music] as a sow piddles.