A libretto that should never have been accepted on a subject that should never have been chosen bya man who should never have attempted it.

I said to my friends that if I was going to starve, I might as well starve where the food is good.

Try a thing you haven't done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not.

In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise.

I seem to write an opera about every 20 years; if you live long enough you can write four operas. I finished my third in 1970.

Let your mind alone, and see what happens.

The way to write American music is simple. All you have to do is be an American and then write any kind of music you wish.

I listened to the pure crystalline notes of one of Mozart's concertos dropping at my feet like leaves from the trees.

I've never known a musician who regretted being one. Music itself is not going to let you down.

Reviewing music or reviewing anything is a writing job. It's nice if you are experienced in the field you are writing about, but writing is what you are doing.

Musicians own music because music owns them.

...grief is as much about regret for what you've never had as sadness for what you've lost.

It was weird the way you could be friends with someone but not really know the ugly parts of their lives. We all had our secrets, I supposed.

To forget oneself is to be happy.

I won't quit to become someone's old lady.

Hard times may have held you down, but they will not last forever. When all is said and done, you will be increased.

How can a reason which hates God be called sound?

Men value things in three ways: as useful, as pleasant or sources of pleasure, and as excellent, or as intrinsically admirable or honorable.

I went to Congress to change the policies of our country. I did not go to change the behaviors of members of Congress.

I think the president-elect [Donald trump] also supports anything we can do to put an end to these sorts of incidents from taking place in our country.

But they're already singing our praises!" "They are Americans. They toot their horns for anything.