"I have never been able to flatter people; I am too blunt for that."

"There are and will be thousands of princes; there is only one Beethoven."

"What you are, you are by accident of birth; what I am, I am by myself. There are and will be a thousand princes; there is only one Beethoven."

"Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on earth."

"It was impossible for me to say to men speak louder, shout, for I am deaf."