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

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

Artistic temperament is a disease that afflicts amateurs.

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

Rhythm is something you either have or don't have, but when you have it, you have it all over.

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

To play without passion is inexcusable!

Every actor in his heart believes everything bad that's printed about him.

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.

When you were young, and your heart, was an open book. You used to say, live and let live.

Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance.

The music industry can make you feel like a prostitute.

The man who writes about himself and his own time is the only man who writes about all people and all time.

Music is mediator between spiritual and sensual life.

I accept chaos, I'm not sure whether it accepts me.

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

And, in the end The love you take is equal to the love you make.

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

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

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.

Nature scarcely ever gives us the very best; for that we must have recourse to art.