What's even worse than a flute? - Two flutes!

You know that I become quite powerless whenever I am obliged to write for an instrument which I cannot bear.

Music is my life and my life is music. Anyone who does not understand this is not worthy of God.

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

Write to me and don't be so lazy. Otherwise I shall have to give you a thrashing. What fun! I'll break your head.

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

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.