An artist's duty is rather to stay open-minded and in a state where he can receive information and inspiration. You always have to be ready for that little artistic Epiphany.

The only escape from the miseries of life are music and cats...

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.

The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity.

If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don't write, because our culture has no use for it.

Real popular culture is folk art - coalminers' songs and so forth.

I'm very happy to hear that my work inspires writers and painters. It's the most beautiful compliment, the greatest reward. Art should always be an exchange.

The absence of limitations is the enemy of art.

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.

What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.

I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland.

A great poet is the most precious jewel of a nation.

I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to.

I love rock-n-roll. I think it's an exciting art form. It's revolutionary. Still revolutionary and it changed people. It changed their hearts. But yeah, even rock-n-roll has a lot of rubbish, really bad music.

The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.

Art is magic delivered from the lie of being truth.

Artistic temperament is a disease that afflicts amateurs.

Comedy is the blues for people who can?t sing.

Intellectual passion drives out sensuality.

And I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinking.

Music can change the world because it can change people.