I adore art...when I am alone with my notes, my heart pounds and the tears stream from my eyes, and my emotion and my joys are too much to bear.

I have striven for perfection, it has always eluded me, but I surely had an obligation to make one more try.

To copy the truth can be a good thing, but to invent the truth is better, much better.

It is better to invert reality than to copy it.

It may be a good thing to copy reality; but to invent reality is much, much better.

The artist must yield himself to his own inspiraton, and if he has a true talent, no one knows and feels better than he what suits him.

Stupid criticism and still more stupid praise.

The success of our operas rests most of the time in the hands of the conductor. This person is as necessary as a tenor or a prima donna.

Of all composers, past and present, I am the least learned. I mean that in all seriousness, and by learning I do not mean knowledge of music.

Oh blessed a thousand times the peasant who is born, eats and dies without anybody bothering about his affairs.

Through care taken over trends, the desire to be novel and affectation knowledge, we repudiate our art, our instinct, our own way of doing things; it is absurd and stupid

Whether something is wonderful or horrible, the most harmful thought we can think is “Will this last forever?

I never understand why all of us are so stupid. All the time we nurse our spurious and witless ego, while looking deep down inside that we cannot live without talking to our loved ones.

Be strong and courageous. Fear not! God will grant you the strength to overcome any adversity.

I once met a man who had forgiven an injury. I hope some day to meet the man who has forgiven an insult.

If you care about being thought credible and intelligent, do not use complex language where simpler language will do.

The moment my eyes fell on him, I was content.

I'm definitely more interested in technologies that are more accessible, that are as accessible as possible.

I will not allow my daughters to learn foreign languages because one tongue is sufficient for a woman.

I think I've been really good at surrounding myself with really talented people. I've picked the right coattails to ride on.

My ultimate fantasy is to entice a man to my bedroom, put a gun to his head and say, 'Make babies or die'.