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

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

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.

Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.

Melody is the essence of music. I compare a good melodist to a fine racer, and counterpoints to hack post-horses.

God first, then papa.

I will gladly give lessons as a favor, particularly when I see that my student has talent, inclination, and anxiety to learn; but to be obliged to go to a house at a certain hour, or to have to wait at home for a pupil, is what I cannot do, no matter how much money it may bring me in. . . I am a composer and was born to be a Kapellmeister. I neither can nor ought to bury the talent for composition with which God in his goodness has so richly endowed me. . .