Beethoven Biography

There ought to be but 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.
o Conversations (January 1801)

Art! Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess?
o Letter to Bettina von Arnim (1810-08-11)

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.
o Conversations (March 1879)

Plaudite, amici, comedia finita est. (Applaud, my friends, the comedy is over.)
o Said on his deathbed, 1827

Ich werde im Himmel hören! (I will hear in heaven!)
o Said on his deathbed, 1827, as cited from the book Last Words.

The day-to-day exhausted me!
o to Karl von Baden, August 23, 1823

Muss es sein? Es muss sein.
o Must it be? It must be.
o Epigraph to string quartet in F Major, Opus 135.

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

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

* Do you think I worry about your lousy fiddle when the spirit moves me?
o In response to a complaint about one of his string quartets

* I can't think about your miserable violin when I am speaking to my God!
o Reply to a violinist

* Music is........ a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.

* Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.

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

* Never shall I forget the time I spent with you. Please continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours.

From: Wikiquote - Beethoven