Top quotes by Ludwig van Beethoven

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman. Votes: 25

Only the pure in heart can make a good soup. Votes: 21

The barriers are not erected which can say to aspiring talents and industry, 'Thus far and no farther.' Votes: 19

Music is the wine which inspires one to new generative processes, and I am Bacchus who presses out this glorious wine for mankind and makes them spiritually drunken. Votes: 16

Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Votes: 16

Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend. Votes: 16

Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine. Votes: 15

Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life. Votes: 14

Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on earth. Votes: 13

A great poet is the most precious jewel of a nation. Votes: 13

Art! Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess? Votes: 10

Off with you! You're a happy fellow, for you'll give happiness and joy to many other people. There is nothing better or greater than that! Votes: 9

My misfortune is doubly painful to me because it will result in my being misunderstood. For me there can be no recreation in the company of others, no intelligent conversation, no exchange of information with peers; only the most pressing needs can make me venture into society. I am obliged to live like an outcast. Votes: 9

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears form the eyes of woman. Votes: 9

Rossini would have been a great composer if his teacher had spanked him enough on his backside. Votes: 7

Music can change the world. Votes: 7

Nothing is more intolerable than to have to admit to yourself your own errors. Votes: 7

I would rather write 10,000 notes than a single letter of the alphabet. Votes: 7

Music is mediator between spiritual and sensual life. Votes: 6

The vibrations on the air are the breath of God speaking to man's soul. Music is the language of God. We musicians are as close to God as man can be. We hear his voice, we read his lips, we give birth to the children of God, who sing his praise. That's what musicians are. Votes: 5

Let your deafness no longer be a secret - even in art. Votes: 5

Only art and science make us suspect the existence of life to a higher level, and maybe also instill hope thereof. Votes: 5

Handel is the greatest composer that ever lived... I would uncover my head and kneel down on his tomb. Votes: 4

Handel, to him I bow the knee. Votes: 4

Oh you men who think or say that I am malevolent, stubborn, or misanthropic, how greatly do you wrong me. You do not know the secret cause which makes me seem that way to you. Oh how harshly was I flung back by the doubly sad experience of my bad hearing. Votes: 4

She was such a good loving mother, my best friend. Oh, who was happier than I when I could still say the dear name "Mother," and it was heard, and whom can I say it to now? Votes: 4

Love demands all, and has a right to all. Votes: 2

Love, and love alone, is capable of giving you a happier life. Votes: 2

But what a humiliation for me when someone standing next to me heard a flute in the distance and I heard nothing, or someone standing next to me heard a shepherd singing and again I heard nothing. Such incidents drove me almost to despair; a little more of that and I would have ended my life - it was only my art that held me back. Votes: 2

I liked your opera. I think I will set it to music. Votes: 2

ever thine, ever mine, ever ours Votes: 0

Then let us all do what is right, strive with all our might toward the unattainable, develop as fully as we can the gifts God has given us, and never stop learning Votes: 0

It is my belief one should not belittle the artist; while, however glorious his fame may seem, his time on Mount Olympus as an honourable guest of Zeus is short. It's a pity, but all too eager will the common folk drag him from this etherial heights to the low and trodden earth. Votes: 0

Anyone who tells a lie has not a pure heart, and cannot make a good soup. Votes: 0

Wherever you are, I am there also. Votes: 0

After Rossini dies, who will be there to promote his music? Votes: 0

Nothing is more intolerable than to have admit to yourself your own errors. Votes: 0

I like your opera - I think I will set it to music Votes: 0

It is my wish that you may have at better and freer life than I have had. Recommend virtue to your children; it alone, not money, can make them happy. I speak from experience; this was what upheld me in time of misery. Votes: 0

Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy Votes: 0

Music is like a dream. One that I cannot hear. Votes: 0

To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable. Votes: 0

Recommend to your children virtue; that alone can make them happy, not gold. Votes: 0

This is the mark of a really admirable man: steadfastness in the face of trouble. Votes: 0

I will seize fate by the throat; it shall certainly never wholly overcome me. Votes: 0

I shall seize fate by the throat. Votes: 0

I change many things, discard others, and try again and again until I am satisfied; then, in my head, I being to elaborate the work in its breadth, its narrowness, its height, its depth...I hear and see the image in front of me from every angle as if it had been cast and only the labour of writing it down remains. Votes: 0

In whatsoever manner it be, let me turn to God and become fruitful in good works. Nothing higher exists than to approach God more than other people and from that to extend His glory among humanity.I will place all my confidence in your eternal goodness, O God! My soul shall rejoice in Thee, immutable Being. Be my rock, my light, forever my trust. Votes: 0

We all make mistakes, but everyone makes different mistakes Votes: 0

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. Votes: 0

Friends applaud, the comedy is over. Votes: 0

Tones sound, and roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes. Votes: 0

All my life I have regarded myself as one of Mozart's greatest admirers, and I will remain one until my last breath. Votes: 0

An artist is someone who has learned to trust in himself. Votes: 0

Applaud my friends, the comedy is over... [on his death bed] Votes: 0

Art always demands of us something new. Votes: 0

Art demands of us that we shall not stand still. Votes: 0

Artists are fiery, they do not weep! Votes: 0

Artists who have won fame are often embarrassed by it; thus their first works are often their best. Votes: 0

Do you think I give a damn about your and your pathetic violin? Votes: 0

Don't only practise your art, but force your way into its secrets. Votes: 0

Don't regard yourself as too divine to improve, occasionally, your own works. Votes: 0

Even in poverty I lived like a king for I tell you that nobility is the thing that makes a king Votes: 0

Everything should be at once surprising and inevitable. Votes: 0

Fate gave to man the courage of endurance. Votes: 0

Figured Bass (Harmony) and Religion are self-contained things, one should not argue these. Votes: 0

From the glow of enthusiasm I let the melody escape. Votes: 0

From the glow of enthusiasm I let the melody escape. I pursue it. Breathless I catch up with it. It flies again, it disappears, it plunges into a chaos of diverse emotions. I catch it again, I seize it, I embrace it with delight... I multiply it by modulations, and at last I triumph in the first theme. There is the whole symphony. Votes: 0

Good Morning, on July 7 My thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved I can only live wholly with you or not at all- Be calm my life, my all. Only by calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together. Oh continue to love me, never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved. Ever Thine Ever Mine Ever Yours Votes: 0

Händel is the greatest and ablest of all composers; from him I can still learn. Votes: 0

He that divines the secret of my music is freed from the unhappiness that haunts the whole world of men. Votes: 0

He who understand my music will remain free from the miseries that the other men are dragging with them . Votes: 0

Hide your secret even from the closest friend; learn to be silent... Votes: 0

I alter some things, eliminate and try again until I am satisfied. Then begins the mental working out of this material in its breadth, its narrowness, its height and depth. Votes: 0

I am resolved to rise superior to every obstacle. With whom need I be afraid of measuring my strength? I will take Fate by the throat. It shall not overcome me. O how beautiful it is to be alive - would that I could live a thousand times! Votes: 0

I can do nothing but think of you... What have you done to me? Can't you remove the spell you have cast over me? Votes: 0

I can live only wholly with you or not at all. Votes: 0

I carry my thoughts about with me for a long time, often for a very long time, before writing them down. Votes: 0

I carry my thoughts about with me for a long time... before writing them down... once I have grasped a theme. I shall not forget it even years later. I change many things, discard others, and try again and again until I am satisfied; then, in my head... [the work] rises, it grows, I hear and see the image n front of me from every angle... and only the labor of writing it down remains... I turn my ideas into tones that resound, roar, and rage until at last they stand before me in the form of notes. Votes: 0

I don't want to know anything about your system of ethics. Strength is the morality of the man who stands out from the rest, and it is mine. Votes: 0

I have always reckoned myself among the greatest admirers of Mozart, and shall do so till the day of my death. Votes: 0

I have never thought of writing for reputation and honor. What I have in my heart must come out; that is the reason why I compose. Votes: 0

I haven't a single friend; I must live alone. But well I know that God is nearer to me than to the others of my art; I associate with Him without fear, I have always recognized and understood Him, and I have no fear for my music,-it can meet no evil fate. Those who understand it must become free from all the miseries that the others drag with them. Votes: 0

I know no other sign of superiority than Goodness. Votes: 0

I know of no more sacred duty than to rear and educate a child. Votes: 0

I love a tree more than a man. Votes: 0

I shall hear in heaven. Votes: 0

I want to seize fate by the throat. Votes: 0

I wish you music to help with the burdens of life ,and to help you release your happiness to others. Votes: 0

If I contemplate myself as part of the Universe: what am I? Votes: 0

In praise of Thy goodness I must confess that Thou didst try with all Thy means to draw me to Thee. Sometimes it pleased Thee to let me feel the heavy hand of Thy displeasure and to humiliate my proud heart by manifold castigations. Sickness and misfortune didst Thou send upon me to turn my thoughts to my errantries.-One thing, only, O Father, do I ask: cease not to labor for my betterment. In whatsoever manner it be, let me turn to Thee and become fruitful in good works. Votes: 0

In the country It seems as if every tree Said to me 'Holy! Holy!' Who can ever express The ecstasy of the woods! Almighty One, In the woods I am blessed. Happy every one in the woods. Every tree speaks through Thee. O God! What glory in the woodland. Votes: 0

In the world of art, as in the whole of creation, freedom and progress are the main objectives. Votes: 0

It is the power of music to carry one directly into the mental state of the composer. Votes: 0

It seemed unthinkable for me to leave the world forever before I had produced all that I felt called upon to produce Votes: 0

Life would be flat without music. It is the background to all I do. It speaks to the heart in its own special way like nothing else. Votes: 0

Men are not only together when they are with each other; even the distant and the dead live with us. Votes: 0

Mistakes - mistakes - you yourself are a unique mistake! Votes: 0

Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents. Votes: 0

Music is the electric soil in which the spirit thinks, lives and invents. All that's electrical stimulates the mind to flowing surging musical creation. I am electrical by nature. Votes: 0

Music is the mediator between the life of the senses and the life of the spirit. Votes: 0

Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life. Although the spirit be not master of that which it creates through music, yet it is blessed in this creation, which, like every creation of art, is mightier than the artist. Votes: 0

My heart is full of many things there are moments when I feel that speech is nothing after all. Votes: 0

Never forget the days I spent with you. Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours. Votes: 0

No friend have I. I must live by myself alone; but I know well that God is nearer to me than others in my art, so I will walk fearlessly with Him. Votes: 0

Of all my children, this is the one that cost me the worst birth-pangs and brought me the most sorrow; and for that reason it is the one most dear to me. Votes: 0

Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved. ever thine ever mine ever ours Votes: 0

Oh, how beautiful it is to be alive - would that I could live a thousand times Votes: 0

One must not hold one's self so divine as to be unwilling occasionally to make improvements in one's creations. Votes: 0

Only art and science can raise men to the level of God. Votes: 0

Only the flint of a man's mind can strike fire in music. Votes: 0

Recommend to your children to be virtuous, only the virtue can bring us happiness, not the money. Votes: 0

Recommend virtue to your children, that alone - not wealth - can give happiness. It upholds in adversity and the thought of it and my art prevents me from putting an end to my life. Votes: 0

Richard Wagner commenting on the music of Ludvig Van Beethoven: He was a Titan, wrestling with the Gods. Votes: 0

such incidents brought me to the verge of despair, but little more and I would have put an end to my life - only art it was that withheld me, - ah, it seemed impossible to leave the world until I had produced all that I had felt called upon to produce. Votes: 0

The amount of money one needs is terrifying... Votes: 0

The foundation of friendship demands the greatest likeness of human souls and hearts. Votes: 0

The guitar is an orchestra in itself. Votes: 0

The Music is the only corporeal introduction to the superior world of Knowledge. Votes: 0

The real artist has no pride. Unfortunately he sees that his art has no limits. He feels obscurely how far he is from the goal. While he is perhaps being admired by others, he mourns the fact that he has not yet reached the point to which his better genius, like a distant sun, ever beckons to him. Votes: 0

The world is a king, and like a king, desires flattery in return for favor; but true art is selfish and perverse — it will not submit to the mold of flattery. Votes: 0

There are and always will be thousands of princes, but there is only one Beethoven! Votes: 0

There is no greater pleasure for me than to practice and exhibit my art. Votes: 0

There is no loftier mission than to approach the Divinity nearer than other men, and to disseminate the divine rays among mankind. Votes: 0

There is no loftier mission than to approach the Godhead more nearly than other mortals, and by means of that contact to spread the rays of the Godhead through the human race. Votes: 0

There ought to be only one large art warehouse in the world, to which the artist could carry his art-works and from which he could carry away whatever he needed. As it is one must be half a tradesman. Votes: 0

This is not a brook [Bach means "brook" in German], it's an ocean. Votes: 0

To do good whenever one can, to love liberty above all else, never to deny the truth, even though it be before the throne. Votes: 0

To me the highest thing, after God, is my honor. Votes: 0

To play without passion is inexcusable! Votes: 0

We mortals with immortal minds are only born for sufferings and joys, and one could almost say that the most excellent receive joy through sufferings. Votes: 0

What I have in my heart and soul - must find a way out. That's the reason for music. Votes: 0

What is to reach the heart must come from above; if it does not come from thence, it will be nothing but notes, body without spirit. Votes: 0

What will be the judgment a century hence concerning the lorded works of our favorite composers today? Inasmuch as nearly everything is subject to the changes of time, and - more's the pity- the fashions of time, only that which is good and true will endure like a rock and no wanton hand will ever venture to defile it. Then, let every man do that which is right, strive with all his might towards the goal which can never be obtained, develop to the last breath the gifts with which the gracious Creator has endowed him, and never cease to learn. For life is short, art eternal. Votes: 0

When I open my eyes I must sigh, for what I see is contrary to my religion, and I must despise the world which does not know that music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Votes: 0

Whoever tells a lie is not pure of heart, and such a person can not cook a clean soup. Votes: 0

Yet it was impossible for me to say to people, 'Speak louder, shout, for I am deaf.' Ah, how could I possibly admit an infirmity in the one sense which ought to be more perfect in me than others, a sense which I once possessed in the highest perfection, a perfection such as few in my profession enjoy or ever have enjoyed. Votes: 0

You ask me where I get my ideas. That I cannot tell you with certainty. They come unsummoned, directly, indirectly - I could seize them with my hands - out in the open air, in the woods, while walking, in the silence of the nights, at dawn, excited by moods which are translated by the poet into words, by me into tones that sound and roar and storm about me till I have set them down in notes. Votes: 0

You're a happy fellow, for you'll give happiness and joy to many other people. There is nothing better or greater than that. Votes: 0

How glad I am to be able to roam in the wood and thicket, among trees and flowers and rocks ... in the country, every tree seems to speak to me, saying, "Holy! Holy", in the woods, there is enchantment which expresses all things. Votes: 0

Strange, I feel as if up to now I had written no more than a few notes. Votes: 0