Benjamin Zander Quotes

The conductor of an orchestra doesn’t make a sound. He depends, for his power, on his ability to make other people powerful.

I have a definition of success. For me it's very simple. It's not about wealth and fame and power. It's about how many shining eyes I have around me.

Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference, accepting that you may not understand how or why.

When you make a mistake, throw your hands in the air and say "How fascinating!"

In the measurement world, we set a goal and strive to achieve it. In the universe of possibility, we set the context and let life unfold.

I'm so sorry for you; your lives have been so easy. You can't play great music unless your heart's been broken.

The major difference between the 'best' and the 'average' is that the 'best' get as much pleasure from practice as performance.

The job of the leader is to speak to the possibility.

It's not a question of how much power you can hoard for yourself, but how much you can give away.

Look at their eyes. If their eyes are shining, you know you're doing it.

South Africa is a country built on possibility. Possibility lies in making a difference and creating value from a situation - without denying that certain issues exist.

Everybody loves classical music they just don't know about it yet.

My job is to awaken possibility in other people.

Who am I being that my players' eyes are not shining?

I make myself a relentless architect of the possibilities of human beings.

I have a definition of success.

Life is revealed as a place to contribute and we as contributors. Not because we have done a measurable amount of good, but because that is the story we tell.

Live the rest of your life in possibility

It is the tuning of the universe... It's as if at the beginning of the symphony God turns up the volume just a tiny bit.

Imagine Martin Luther King saying, 'I have a dream ... But I don't know if the others will buy it.'

If you make a mistake, celebrate.

how absurd human beings are and how magnificent.

...the player who looks least engaged may be the most committed member of the group. A cynic, after all, is a passionate person who does not want to be disappointed again.

I have a definition of success. For me, it's very simple. It's not about wealth and fame and power. It's about how many shining eyes I have around me.

...how absurd human beings are and how magnificent.

In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold.