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

Intellectual passion drives out sensuality.

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

Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.

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

The spoken form is in fact a very restrained representation of what is possible in the musical language.

Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.

Every work of art is an uncommitted crime.

Art not only imitates nature, but also completes its deficiencies.

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.

Artistic temperament is a disease that afflicts amateurs.

Art is always and everywhere the secret confession, and at the same time the immortal movement of its time

Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend.

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.

Play it fuckin' loud!

Let silence be the art you practice.

Rock and roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can't help but move to it. That's what happens to me. I can't help it.

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

I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.

Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.

Once you become predictable, no one's interested anymore.