The only hope is that our civilization will collapse at a certain point, as always happens in history. Then, out of barbarity, a renaissance.

It's ridiculous that time and time again we need a radioactive cloud coming out of a nuclear power-station to remind us that atomic energy is extraordinarily dangerous.

Sound is the vocabulary of nature.

Has it struck you that the music which is regarded as the most sublime in western civilization, which is the music of Bach, is called baroque?

Something new has been added, a new art of sound. Am I wrong in calling it music?

Sound is the vocabulary of nature... noises are as well articulated as the words in a dictionary... Opposing the world of sound is the world of music.

People who try to create a musical revolution do not have a chance, but those who turn their back to music can sometimes find it.

Barbarians always think of themselves as the bringers of civilization.

People who share the same language, French or Chinese or whatever, have the same vocal cords and emit sounds which are basically the same, as they come from the same throats and lungs.

The moment at which music reveals its true nature is contained in the ancient exercise of the theme with variations. The complete mystery of music is explained right there.

Noises have generally been thought of as indistinct, but this is not true.

Never hide your fear because it will become your own God, hidden inside you.

How foolish to believe we are more powerful than the sea or the sky.

As I live and am a man, this is an unexaggerated tale - my dreams become the substances of my life.

Ere yet we yearn for what is out of our reach, we are still in the cradle. When wearied out with our yearnings, desire again falls asleep; we are on the death-bed.

We each need to make our lion's roar - to persevere with unshakable courage when faced with all manner of doubts and sorrows and fears - to declare our right to awaken.

Men don't get knocked out, or I mean they can fight back against big things. What kills them is erosion; they get nudged into failure. They get slowly scared.[...]It's slow. It rots out your guts.

Most people are one car wreck away from needing somebody's help. So, I don't take anything for granted much anymore.

What's great about art is that if you can reach people, if they hear or see what you do and it moves them, there's a commonality.

Love makes labour light. Love alone gives value to all things.

To survive is to win.