True perfection in all things is no longer known or prized - you must write music that is either so simple a coachman could sing it, or so unintelligble that audiences like it simply because no sane person could understand it.

My fatherland has always the first claim on me.

Melody is the essence of music.

A man of ordinary talent will always be ordinary, whether he travels or not; but a man of superior talent (which I cannot deny myself to be without being impious) will go to pieces if he remains forever in the same place.

Believe me, my sole purpose is to make as much money as possible; for after good health it is the best thing to have.

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.

To my eyes and ears the organ will ever be the King of Instruments.