"I know myself, and I have such a sense of religion that I shall never do anything which I would not do before the whole world; but I am alarmed at the very thoughts of being in the society of people, …"

"I have always sought to compose what is good and true."

"When I am traveling, I cannot look at the sky or the trees or anything that is beautiful, for I am thinking of nothing but my music."

"All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak—and speak in such a way that people will r…"

"If people would only know how much I have to do to acquire my art, it would not seem so easy to them."