The work comes into the world at an undetermined hour, from a still unknown, but it comes inevitably.

Inspiration is an awakening, a quickening of all man's faculties, and it is manifested in all high artistic achievements.

The music of this opera (Madame Butterfly) was dictated to me by God. I was merely instrumental in getting it on paper and communicating it to the public.

Art is a kind of illness.

I lived for art, I lived for love

See, the night doth enfold us! See, all the world lies sleeping!

I'm working, but there is so much still to be done! And it frightens me to think of my weight of years. But on we go, without fear or hesitation!

Cold calculation, random spots of color, mathematically exact construction (clearly shown or concealed), drawing that is now silent and now strident . . . . Is this not form?

Today is a great day of inspiration and gaining strength to move forward with determination and purpose.

Winter is not a season, it's an occupation.

Marriage must be a relation either of sympathy or of conquest.

Telling someone they're wrong is not the same as leading or inspiring them to do what's right.

What resonates with me now is the acoustic guitar and piano.

I want my body to help fertilize the growth of a cactus or cliff rose or sagebrush or tree.

The final end of Eternity, and the beginning of Infinity

In high school, I came to realize I had a second-hand faith, derived from my parents and family background. I had no actual reasons for believing it.

There's no point in bragging in the good times. Your friends don't need to hear it and your enemies won't believe it anyway.

Remember to connect with people now and then. In fact, pick up the phone, right now, and call a friend for no other reason than to say hi.