I hate this fast growing tendency to chain men to machines in big factories and deprive them of all joy in their efforts - the plan will lead to cheap men and cheap products.

I write music with an exclamation point!

Joy is not in things; it is in us.

I am fond of them, of the inferior beings of the abyss, of those who are full of longing.

I can't distract myself enough here, for sketches to a new opera are constantly buzzing around in my head, to the extent that I need all my strength to wrest myself from them.

Everything lives and lasts by the inner necessity of its being, by its own nature's need.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

Wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.

If you want the best the world has to offer, offer the world your best.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Nobody talks so constantly about God as those who insist that there is no God.

In the sunset of dissolution, everything is illuminated by the aura of nostalgia, even the guillotine.

If everybody loves you, something is wrong, find at least one enemy to keep you alert.

The world tells us to seek success, power and money; god tells us to seek humility, service and love.

Every man's life is a fairy tale, written by God's fingers.