At least I have the modesty to admit that lack of modesty is one of my failings.

At least I have the modesty to admit that lack of modesty is one of my failings

Life when one first arrives is a continual mortification as one's romantic illusions are successively shattered and the musical treasure-house of one's imagination crumbles before the hopelessness of the reality. Every day fresh experiences bring fresh disappointments.

Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.

Every composer knows the anguish and despair occasioned by forgetting ideas which one had no time to write down.

The luck of having talent is not enough; one must also have a talent for luck.