Music is an experience, not a science.

I was offered a free villa in Hollywood, but I said no thank you, I prefer to live in Italy.

You can see my decision as either a distinctive factor or as a limitation. I don't feel it is a limitation.

Bernard Herrmann used to write all his scores by himself. So did Bach, Beethoven and Stravinsky. I dont understand why this happens in the movie industry.

There was a theft! But, of course, if it was up to me, every two years I would win an Oscar.

I come from a background of experimental music which mingled real sounds together with musical sounds.

We live in a modern world, and in contemporary music the central fact is contamination. Not the contamination of disease but the contamination of musical styles. If you find this in me, that is good.

We encounter great souls by reading great books.

When civility is illusory, war is inevitable.

We must become just be doing just acts.

Literature is breathing. I teach literature the way someone else might teach First Aid.

Silence is the universal refuge, the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts, a balm to our every chagrin, as welcome after satiety as after disappointment

We must plow through the whole of language.

Who's taking care of the children is an important question for all of us.

He whom passion rules, is bent to meet his death.

Your feelings come from where you find your hope. Where is your happiness and your significance?