A landscape, torn by mists and clouds, in which I can see ruins of old churches, as well as of Greek temples - that is Brahms.

Artists like Bach and Beethoven erected churches and temples on the heights. I only wantedto build dwellings for men in which they might feel happy and at home

When we are young, friends are, like everything else, a matter of course. In the old days we know what it means to have them.

I am sure my music has a taste of codfish in it.

Suddenly a mist fell from my eyes and I knew the way I had to take.

I have not the least doubt that school developed in me nothing but what was evil and left the good untouched.

In Bach, Beethoven and Wagner we admire principally the depth and energy of the human mind; in Mozart, the divine instinct.

Don't leave it all unsaid, somewhere in the wasteland of your head.

Don't waste time. Don't let a minute pass doing nothing or doing something that is not as per your wish. Grab hold of each minute and do what you want to do.

The State in particular is turned into a quasi-animate personality from whom everything is expected. In reality it is only a camouflage for those individuals who know how to manipulate it.

As a question is created, it creates.

It is only when the correct practice is followed for a long time, without interruptions and with a quality of positive attitude and eagerness, that it can succeed.

We tend to associate humor with lightheartedness, but really, it's a rhetorical mode than can be applied to any subject. It was through researching Chechnya that I came to understand this.

I rather live as if God exists to find out that He doesn't than live as if he doesn't exist to find out He does.

The appointment [in Harvard] gave me economic safety, writerly support, and intellectual self-respectplus eight months to myself every year.

I could work out a lot of my emotions by going to class and dancing.

It’s okay to wonder how you could try so hard and still get stomped all over. Just don’t let them change you.