"Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can elevate man to the divine."

"The metronome is a useless invention."

"I have never been able to flatter people; I am too blunt for that."

"The true artist has no pride. He sees unfortunately that art has no limits; he feels darkly how far he is from the goal, and though he may be admired by others, he is sad that he has not yet reached t…"

"Ah it seemed impossible to leave the world until I had produced all that I felt called upon me to produce, and so I endured this wretched existence."