False notes can be forgiven, false music cannot.

To study music, we must learn the rules. To create music, we must break them.

The essential conditions of everything you do must be choice, love, passion.

Life is denied by lack of attention, whether it be to cleaning windows or trying to write a masterpiece.

It is nothing to succeed if one has not taken great trouble, and it is nothing to fail if one has done the best one could.

Loving a child doesn't mean giving in to all his whims; to love him is to bring out the best in him, to teach him to love what is difficult.

The art of music is so deep and profound that to approach it very seriously only is not enough. One must approach music with a serious rigor and, at the same time, with a great, affectionate joy.

Do not take up music unless you would rather die than not do so.

Do nothing for effect. Do it for truth.

Without discipline, there can be no freedom.

Nothing is better than music; when it takes us out of time, it has done more for us than we have the right to hope for.

I think I am going to have to supercharge my optimism to arm myself for the battle ahead. Trust me, it is going to be a battle.

...what makes a writer a prophet is his ability to speak truth...

We have here other fish to fry.

Figuring out our gifts in life is part of our journey to becoming enlightened human beings.

Every day that you don't practice is one day longer before you achieve greatness

You get to a certain point, especially if you're a comedian, where people think certain things. It's like, I don't take the time to explain it to people, it's just part of what I do.

What small account The All-living seems to take of this thin flame Which we call life. He sends a moment's blast Out of war's nostrils, and a myriad Of these our puny tapers are blown out Forever.

Music is the weapon. Music is the weapon of the future.

Silence is the best tactic for he who distrusts himself.

If we are destined to be together again, be happy to know you’ll be getting the real me, not some blubbering half me.