Music is the wine which inspires one to new generative processes, and I am Bacchus who presses out this glorious wine for mankind and makes them spiritually drunken.
O, you men who think or say that I am malevolent, stubborn or misanthropic, how greatly do you wrong me. You do not know the secret cause which makes me seem that way to you, and I would have ended my life - it was only my art that held me back. Ah, it seemed impossible to leave the world until I had brought forth all that I felt was within me.
When somewhat at a distance, I cannot hear the high tones of instruments, voices. In speaking, it is not surprising that there are people who have never noticed it, for as a rule I am absent-minded, and they account for it in that way.
A great poet is the most precious jewel of a nation.
Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.
Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.
Tones sound, and roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes.
Music comes to me more readily than words.
Recommend virtue to your children; it alone, not money, can make them happy. I speak from experience.
Often, I can scarcely hear any one speaking to me; the tones yes, but not the actual words; yet as soon as any one shouts, it is unbearable. What will come of all this, heaven only knows!
Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.
I will seize fate by the throat; it shall certainly never wholly overcome me.
Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.
