"If Germany, my beloved fatherland, of whom you know I am proud, will not accept me, then must I, in the name of God, again make France or England richer by one capable German; — and to the shame of th…"

"I write music to express my feelings, not to please the public."

"Shit in your bed and make it burst."

"I am not afraid of death, for I know that it is not the end."

"I beg you most humbly to go on loving me just a little and to make do with these poor congratulations until I get some new drawers made for my small and narrow brainbox in which I can keep the brains …"