It is not hard to compose, but what is fabulously hard is to leave the superfluous notes under the table.

Those who enjoy their own emotionally bad health and who habitually fill their own minds with the rank poisons of suspicion, jealousy and hatred, as a rule take umbrage at those who refuse to do likewise, and they find a perverted relief in trying to denigrate them.

Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.

A symphony is no joke.

Straight-away the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God, and not only do I see distinct themes in my mind's eye, but they are clothed in the right forms, harmonies, and orchestration.

I sometimes ponder on variation form and it seems to me it ought to be more restrained, purer.

It is not hard to compose, but what is fabulously hard is to leave the superfluous notes under the table.

We cling nervously to the melody, but we don't handle it freely, we don't really make anything new out of it, we merely overload it.

Composers in the old days used to keep strictly to the base of the theme, as their real subject. Beethoven varies the melody, harmony and rhythms so beautifully.

If there is anyone here whom I have not insulted, I beg his pardon.

We cling nervously to the melody but we dont handle it freely we dont really make anything new out of it we merely overload it.

Without craftsmanship inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.

All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.

Suspicion and persecution are weeds of the same dunghill, and flourish best together.

Everyone around me was super-cool and laid back and skinny and tan and volleyball-y, and I was just this neurotic kid who was singing 'Annie Get Your Gun.'

We want to start a 'Flash' band. Everyone can play an instrument and sing.

The only time you can be completely free from risk is when you're in prison.

What's the biggest commercial for aggression, sexuality and materialism? What gets pumped into these kids' heads? Taking someone else's girl, which is so laissez-faire in hip-hop, will get you killed in the streets, but it doesn't seem to be an issue when you hear it on the radio.

People think that just because you're a center, you're not as smart as the guards or the smaller guys.

I envy paranoids; they actually feel people are paying attention to them.

My favorite Oscar story was a year my brother had been nominated, my whole family went.

I call Sally Field 'America's Mother!' She is incredible to watch.

Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit.

Enthusiasm is the mother of effort and without it nothing great was ever achieved.

Refuse to become a victim of your circumstances and give a lift to your potentials each and every day against the wish of any obstacle you encounter!

I don't know what 15-year-old doesn't have a desire to separate themselves from their parents and prove their independence.

I've never had a study in my life. I'm like Jane Austen - I work on the corner of the dining table.

There isn't anything in the world that can't be made better.

People have a preconceived notion about who I am and it's interesting. It's like picking who you want to win for the Oscars and not seeing the movie. Before you make a statement about someone, get all the information and see everything before you make a judgment.

I know that many in Europe are unhappy with their governments' policies toward the Palestinians.

If you're a coach, you're a teacher.

No one is born hating others.

Our knowledge and all of our ideas are mutually connected; the more complicated they are, the more numerous must be the roads that lead to them and depart from them.

Cricket is a pressure game and when it comes to an India Pakistan match the pressure is doubled.

I never really got any attention until I was on MTV. I became a household name because I was on every day from 3-4 P.M. I wasn't prepared for it - how mean they can be in the press.

I can honestly say - not proudly, but honestly - before I had a child, I would see things on TV or hear the news, feel sad for the people and move forward with my day. Now I see everything through a mother's eyes.