My great grandfather used to say to his wife, my great-grandmother, who in turn told her daughter, my grandmother, who repeated it to her daughter, my mother, who used to remind her daughter, my own sister, that to talk well and eloquently was a very great art, but that an equally great one was to know the right moment to stop.

Our riches, being in our brains, die with us... Unless of course someone chops off our head, in which case, we won't need them anyway.

The best way to learn is through the powerful force of rhythm.

As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence, I have formed during the last few years such close relationships with this best and truest friend of mankind that death's image is not only no longer terrifying to me, but is indeed very soothing and consoling, and 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.

When I am traveling in a carriage, or walking after a good meal, or during the night when I cannot sleep; it is on such occasions that ideas flow best and most abundantly.

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

Handel understands effect better than any of us -- when he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt.