I often conduct an orchestra in my sleep; my orchestras are so huge that the back desks of the violas vanish into the horizon. And everything is so wonderful.

Pay no attention to what the critics say; no statue has ever been erected to a critic.

Music begins where the possibilities of language end.

If we understood the world, we would realize that there is a logic of harmony underlying its manifold apparent dissonances.

All the doctors who wanted to forbid me to smoke and to drink are dead.

Music is, for me, like a beautiful mosaic which God has put together. He takes all the pieces in his hand, throws them into the world, and we have to recreate the picture from the pieces.

If you really put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price. Pay no attention to what the critics say. A statue has never been erected in honor of a critic.

Music is on a higher plane than everything else in this world.

Whereas most other modern composers are engaged in manufacturing cocktails of every hue and description, I offer the public cold spring water.

Millions of years ago, in my previous incarnations, I must have been related to swans... because I can still feel that affinity.

The framework of a symphony must be so strong that it forces you to follow it, regardless of the environment and circumstances.

The female brain is engineered to avoid conflicts at all cost, whereas the male brain pleasures conflicts in the purpose of being the boss.

The most serious charge which can be brought against New England is not Puritanism but February.

I've had several working-man songs that I like.

True happiness comes from the realization that God has already made available everything we will ever need.

The resource allocation task of top management has received too much attention when compared to the task of resource leverage.

The only movie I can watch on a loop, over and over, is 'Help', the Beatles movie. It's so funny and irreverent and great.

Ultimately, leadership is more about 'being' than 'doing.'

I hope I am not too repetitive. However, coming to terms with death is part of the general human situation.

Do not ask yourself if your love is big enough, because love is neither big nor small, it is simply love.

The approach is not to limit the choice, but to provide a broader choice. It's appropriate to have choices that are indulgent and others that are better for you.