"People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to compositions as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industr…"

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

"I am a man of peace, and I hate war."

"I have always composed with the greatest ease."

"I ask your forgiveness for my bad handwriting. It is due to the fact that I am always thinking of something else."