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.

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.

Straight-away the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind's eye, but they are clothed in the right forms, harmonies, and orchestration.

The mentality of seeking miracles from one place to another is destructive to the economy

Vice Is like a fury to the vicious mind, And turns delight itself to punishment.

The pretender sees no one but himself, Because he has the veil of conceit in front; If he were endowed with a God discerning eye, He would see that no one is weaker than himself.

Stop rehearsing life's failures. Use your beautiful imagination to visualize success.

I've learned that winning isn't everything, and it's more about the journey. But at the end of the day, I just want to stand on the podium with the gold medal.

Bad things happen everyday but you're not going to be any happier thinking about them. So I don't think about them.

Perhaps we’ve never been visited by aliens because they have looked upon earth and decided there’s no sign of intelligent life.

It is by God’s mercy that we are saved. May we never tire of spreading this joyful message to the world.

Eagerly pursuing all the latest fads and trends cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion.

I think the way I want to think. I live the way I want to live.