The majority of my symphonies are tombstones.

When a man is in despair, it means that he still believes in something.

Real music is always revolutionary, for it cements the ranks of the people; it arouses them and leads them onward.

If they cut off both hands, I will compose music anyway holding the pen in my teeth.

I write music, it’s performed. After all, my music says it all. It doesn’t need historical and hysterical commentaries. In the long run, any words about music are less important than the music.

A creative artist works on his next composition because he was not satisfied with his previous one.

In the long run, any words about music are less important than the music.

What you have in your head, put down on paper. The head is a fragile vessel.

I feel eternal pain for those who were killed by Hitler, but I feel no less pain for those killed on Stalin's orders. I suffer for everyone who was tortured, shot, or starved to death.

It's about the people, who have stopped believing because the cup of evil has run over.

The most uninteresting part of the biography of a composer is his childhood. All those preludes are the same and the reader hurries on to the fugue.

The Earth, time, concepts, love, life, faith justice, evil - they're all fluid and in transition. They don't stay in one form or in one place forever. The whole universe is like some big FedEx box.

Everyday I strive to, at least, recognise my short-comings and the things I have to do to be the best person that I can possibly be.

Photography is a weapon against what's wrong out there. It's bearing witness to the truth.

The minute I got skinny and got a nose job and became photogenic, and all of a sudden I had a bidding war, and every boy I ever wanted, wanted me.

Who lives to Nature, rarely can be poor ; who lives to fancy, never can be rich.

I ain't got no beef with nobody.

There's always a third choice in life. Even if you think you're stuck between two impossible choices, there's always a third way. You just have to look for it.

Success is fleeting. It may not have to do with you but how your work is received.

It doesn't matter if the world is pulling you down. With Christ you have everything.

We are disappointed at the decision. The president remains fully committed to building a culture of life ... that is built on valuing life at all stages.