How lucky is the man who, like Mozart and others, goes to the tavern of an evening and writes some fresh music. For he lives while he is creating.

Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.

One should never forget that by actually perfecting one piece one gains and learns more than by starting or half-finishing a dozen.

The idea comes to me from outside of me - and is like a gift. I then take the idea and make it my own - that is where the skill lies.

Study Bach. There you will find everything.

If there is anyone here whom I have not insulted, I beg his pardon.

Reviewer: 'One of your themes was very similar to one of Beethoven's!' Brahms replied, 'Of course it is. Everyone steals - the important thing is to do it brilliantly.

It is a real pleasure to see music so bright and spontaneous expressed with corresponding ease and grace.

It is not hard to compose, but what is fabulously hard is to leave the superfluous notes under the table.

If we cannot write with the beauty of Mozart, let us at least try to write with his purity.

The only true immortality lies in one's children.

You deal with mythological stuff for a few years, you learn that paradises are usually places where you get killed.

Morality negates life.

People do not realize this, but my drug addiction was actually a short span of time. It was only for two years.

Even a minor event in the life of a child is an event of that child's world and thus a world event.

I think I feel on the whole that something's there trying to get out ... It's sort of trying to get out and wants help.

Let's love, press your lips to mine. Let's kiss, for that thrill divine.

Every child has the spirit of creation. The rubbish of life often exterminates the spirit through plague and a souls own wretchedness.

Arrogance repels the Lord; humility attracts the Lord.

I've read that same formula, but as an athlete I'm classified as phenomenal. You could look it up.

Every government, every country, has the right to exercise force when necessary.