Robert Schumann

My indifference to money and my spendthrift ways are disgraceful. You have no idea how reckless I am; how often I practically throw money out of the window. I am always making good resolutions, but the next minute I forget and give the waiter eightpence.

The principal mark of genius is not perfection, but originality.

The aesthetic principle is the same in every art, only the material differs.

My symphonies would have reached Opus 100 if I had but written them down... Sometimes I am so full of music, and so overflowing with melody, that I find it simply impossible to write down anything.

Talent works, genius creates.

If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble. therefore, respect every musician in his proper place.

An evil fate has deprived me of the full use of my right hand, so that I am not able to play my compositions as I feel them. The trouble with my hand is that certain fingers have become so weak, probably through writing and playing too much at one time, that I can hardly use them.

Nature best teaches how to pray, and how to reverence all the gifts the Almighty has given us. She is like a vast outspread handkerchief, embroidered with God's eternal name, on which we may dry alike our tears of sorrow and of joy; she turns weeping into ecstasy, and fills our hearts with speechless, quiet reverence and resignation.

My heart pounds sickeningly and I turn pale... I often feel as if I were dead... I seem to be losing my mind.

I feel so entirely in my element with a full orchestra; even if my mortal enemies were marshalled before me, I could lead them, master them, surround them, or repulse them.

The flame that is naturally clear always gives the most light and heat. If I could blend my talent for poetry and music into one, the light would burn still clearer, and I might go far.

The poet sees better than other mortals. I do not see things as they are, but according to my own subjective impression, and this makes life easier and simpler.

You write to become immortal, or because the piano happens to be open, or you've looked into a pair of beautiful eyes.

I was a God-fearing child, innocent and physically attractive.

Mendelssohn I consider the first musician of the day; I doff my hat to him as my superior. He plays with everything, especially with the grouping of the instruments in the orchestra, but with such ease, delicacy and art, with such mastery throughout.

I sometimes lack confidence in public, although I am proud enough inwardly.

I am so fresh in soul and spirit that life gushes and bubbles around me in a thousand springs.

To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.

Believe me, were I ever to accomplish anything, it would be in music, which has always attracted me; and, without overestimating myself, I am conscious of possessing a certain creative faculty.

Thus it is ever in life. The aims we once pursued no longer satisfy us; we aim, we strive, we aspire, until sight fails, and mind and body find rest in the grave.

Nothing right can be accomplished in art without enthusiasm.

We shouldn't repeat the same for ages on end, but look into the new as well.