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.

Music, in even the most terrible situations, must never offend the ear but always remain a source of pleasure.

Silence is very important. The silence between the notes are as important as the notes themselves.

To win applause one must write stuff so simple that a coachman might sing it.

To every good friend I send my greet feet; addio nitwit. Love true true true until the grave, if I live that long and do behave.

It is a great consolation for me to remember that the Lord, to whom I had drawn near in humble and child-like faith, has suffered and died for me, and that He will look on me in love and compassion.

Love guards the heart from the abyss.