I feel eternal pain for those who were killed by Hitler, but I feel no less pain for those killed on Stalin's orders. I suffer for everyone who was tortured, shot, or starved to death.

When a man is in despair, it means that he still believes in something.

Real music is always revolutionary, for it cements the ranks of the people; it arouses them and leads them onward.

If they cut off both hands, I will compose music anyway holding the pen in my teeth.

I write music, it’s performed. After all, my music says it all. It doesn’t need historical and hysterical commentaries. In the long run, any words about music are less important than the music.

A creative artist works on his next composition because he was not satisfied with his previous one.

In the long run, any words about music are less important than the music.

What you have in your head, put down on paper. The head is a fragile vessel.

It's about the people, who have stopped believing because the cup of evil has run over.

The most uninteresting part of the biography of a composer is his childhood. All those preludes are the same and the reader hurries on to the fugue.

A great piece of music is beautiful regardless of how it is performed.

Boredom is a pleasing antidote for fear

Is there love without an action? No! Love is an active word.

Take it from an old cadaver. Let go of the past.

Poetry is not only to write but to express our feelings.

I haven't seen much but the one thing life has taught me so far is at least one out of every ten friend will not be jealous of your success.

Aviation is proof that given, the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.

A sealed book, at whose contents we tremble.

My hours are peaceful centuries.

I read a lot of true-crime books, but sometimes they can put you in a bad mood.

The fact is certain because it is impossible.