Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.

There are and always will be thousands of princes, but there is only one Beethoven!

Off with you! You're a happy fellow, for you'll give happiness and joy to many other people. There is nothing better or greater than that!

You will not find a treatise that is too learned for me; without laying claim to any genuine learning, I yet accustomed myself from childhood onwards to grasp the spirit of the best and wisest in every age. Shame on the artist who does not consider it his duty to achieve at least so much.

I must confess that I lead a miserable life. For almost two years, I have ceased to attend any social functions, just because I find it impossible to say to people, 'I am deaf.' If I had any other profession, I might be able to cope with my infirmity; but in my profession, it is a terrible handicap.

Must it be? It must be.