The only true immortality lies in one's children.

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.

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 only walls which bind us and stop us achieving our hearts desires are the walls we build for ourselves

A moment with Jesus changed everything.

It is so unkind--' 'Perhaps. But sometimes a compulsion comes over one to speak the truth!

Sometimes the best part of my day is imagining what I'm gonna eat when I get off work.

The French are always reticent to surrender to the wishes of their friends and always more than willing to surrender to the wishes of their enemies.

Look not into the sun! Even the moon is too bright for your nocturnal eyes!

Major, send a shell first over their heads and let them get in their holes before you open with all your guns.

A Protestant has seldom any mercy shown him, and a Jew, who turns Christian, is far from being secure.

I am really the victim of other people's imagination.

A sound banker, alas, is not one who foresees danger and avoids it, but one who, when he is ruined, is ruined in a conventional way along with his fellows, so that no one can really blame him.