Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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 industriously studied through many times.

All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak—and speak in such a way that people will remember it.

When I am traveling, I cannot look at the sky or the trees or anything that is beautiful, for I am thinking of nothing but my music.

I thank God for my happy childhood.

I write as a pig shits.

I never go to bed without having finished my writing.

If people would only know how much I have to do to acquire my art, it would not seem so easy to them.

I can only compose what I feel.

Sleep is good, and death is better; but of course, to live is the best of all.

It is a great error to suppose that my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a celebrated master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied.

I have always had a natural aversion to anything that is not genuine.

I have a terrible memory for names, but I can remember every note of a piece of music after hearing it once.

I fear nothing, but I respect everything.

I confess that I am a glutton by nature.

I am never happier than when I have a pen in my hand.

I love to play billiards.

What is life? It is a fleeting joy, a sorrow soon past.

I have not a single enemy in the world, that I know of.

To talk well and eloquently is a very great art, but that of knowing when to stop is no less important.

I like to be alone and to think.