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.

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.

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.

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.

There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.

Wait for that wisest of all counselores, Time.

Maintain your integrity! Live life in such a way that when another person tells his or her truth, you'll not be committed for blame.

Climb the day, Drop your dreams, Possess the day.

Leave it to you to find a legal way to do something illegal (Candler)

People in the BBC are always dying to get out of their open-plan offices.

Firstly, economic globalisation has brought prosperity and development to many countries, but also financial crises to Asia, Latin America and Russia, and increasing poverty and marginalisation.

Don't thank the lord, I gave you that compliment... Thank me.

Busyness kills more Christians than bullets.

I don't think it really matters, who plays first. Whatever they do, they do.