If there is anyone here whom I have not insulted I beg his pardon.

Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.

One should never forget that by actually perfecting one piece one gains and learns more than by starting or half-finishing a dozen.

The idea comes to me from outside of me - and is like a gift. I then take the idea and make it my own - that is where the skill lies.

Study Bach. There you will find everything.

If there is anyone here whom I have not insulted, I beg his pardon.

Reviewer: 'One of your themes was very similar to one of Beethoven's!' Brahms replied, 'Of course it is. Everyone steals - the important thing is to do it brilliantly.

It is a real pleasure to see music so bright and spontaneous expressed with corresponding ease and grace.

It is not hard to compose, but what is fabulously hard is to leave the superfluous notes under the table.

If we cannot write with the beauty of Mozart, let us at least try to write with his purity.

The only true immortality lies in one's children.

When I die, I plan to be laughing hysterically.

I have never allowed a gentleman to dictate to me, or to interfere with anything I do.

The Lord is my comfort, my hope and my peace.

Most of your healing journey will be about unlearning the patterns of self-protection that once kept you safe.

I think the most interesting stuff comes from people who've just got nothing to lose. You know, let's kamikaze this thing - just throw themselves in it, devil may care.

And I talked to my doctor, and I must admit, you know, I'm sometimes quite renowned for my outbursts and I was just very frustrated, maybe a little frightened.

I now realize that just because you can take a punch does not mean you must stand in front of a fist, particularly not when the fist is your own.

Being free is being able to accept people for what they are, and not try to understand all they are or be what they are.

I couldn't give you something mediocre even if that's all you asked for.

My mother always tells me, 'Nathan, you're very much a geek, but your strength is that you look mainstream. So no one can tell just by looking at you.' I think this is true.