I am a fool. That is well known.

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

When I am at peace with myself . . . then thoughts flow into me most easily and at their best. Where they come from and how - that I cannot say . . . I'd be willing to work forever and forever if I were permitted to write only such music as I want to write and can write - which I myself think good.

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 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.

A bachelor, in my opinion, is only half alive.

Melody is the essence of music.