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

Each song is a child I nourish and give my love to. But even if you have never written a song, your life is a song. How can it not be?

Poets and heroes are of the same race, the latter do what the former conceive.

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

One thing that really appeals to me is this idea of music being a living thing that has an evolution that, in a way, enables the artist to sell a process rather than a piece of product.

The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.

Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together.

Music with dinner is an insult, both to the cook and the violinist.

Art is never finished, only abandoned.

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

Adding sound to movies would be like putting lipstick on the Venus de Milo.

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

You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.

I passionately hate the idea of being with it, I think an artist has always to be out of step with his time.

Art! Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess?

Intellectual passion drives out sensuality.

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.

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.

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

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.

Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances.