Ludwig Van Beethoven Quotes & Sayings
Enjoy the top 100 famous quotes, sayings and quotations by Ludwig Van Beethoven.
Famous Quotes By Ludwig Van Beethoven
I must confess that I lead a miserable life. For almost two years, I have ceased to attend any social functions, just because I find it impossible to say to people, 'I am deaf.' If I had any other profession, I might be able to cope with my infirmity; but in my profession, it is a terrible handicap. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
I will seize fate by the throat; it shall certainly never wholly overcome me. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
This is the mark of a really admirable man: steadfastness in the face of trouble. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
If once he has got the right fingering, plays in good time, with the notes fairly correct, then only pull him up about the rendering; and when he has arrived at that stage, don't let him stop for the sake of small faults, but point them out to him when he has played the piece through ... I have always adopted this plan; it soon forms musicians which, after all, is one of the first aims of art and it gives less trouble both to master and pupil. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
To do good whenever one can, to love liberty above all else, never to deny the truth, even though it be before the throne. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
I despise a world which does not feel that music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Music is the one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Not "brook" [in German: Bach], but "sea" should he [Johann Sebastian Bach] be called because of his infinite, inexhaustible richness in tone combinations and harmonies.
(Nicht Bach! Meer sollte er heissen: wegen seines unendlichen, unerschoepflichen Reichtums an Tonkombinationen und Harmonien.) — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Rossini would have been a great composer if his teacher had spanked him enough on his backside. — Ludwig Van 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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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 — Ludwig Van Beethoven
It seemed unthinkable for me to leave the world forever before I had produced all that I felt called upon to produce — Ludwig Van Beethoven
I only live in my music, and I have scarcely begun one thing when I start on another. As I am now working, I am often engaged on three or four things at the same time. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Oh continue to love me -
never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.
ever thine
ever mine
ever ours — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Only the pure of heart can make a good soup. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
I know no other sign of superiority than Goodness. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
All my life I have regarded myself as one of Mozart's greatest admirers, and I will remain one until my last breath. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Whoever tells a lie is not pure of heart, and such a person can not cook a clean soup. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Richard Wagner commenting on the music of Ludvig Van Beethoven: He was a Titan, wrestling with the Gods. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Hide your secret even from the closest friend; learn to be silent ... — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy — Ludwig Van Beethoven
I can live only wholly with you or not at all. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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? — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Recommend virtue to your children; it alone, not money, can make them happy. I speak from experience. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Only art and science make us suspect the existence of life to a higher level, and maybe also instill hope thereof. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
There ought to be an artistic depot where the artist need only hand in his artwork in order to receive what he asks for. As things are, one must be half a business man, and how can one understand - good heavens! - that's what I really call troublesome. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
From the glow of enthusiasm I let the melody escape. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Recommend to your children to be virtuous, only the virtue can bring us happiness, not the money. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
What I have in my heart and soul - must find a way out. That's the reason for music. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
I will take fate by the throat; it will never bend me completely to its will. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Artists are fiery, they do not weep! — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
To sing a wrong note is insignificant, but to sing without passion is unforgivable. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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? — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
An artist is someone who has learned to trust in himself. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Only the flint of a man's mind can strike fire in music. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
I would rather write 10,000 notes than a single letter of the alphabet. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Artists who have won fame are often embarrassed by it; thus their first works are often their best. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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! — Ludwig Van Beethoven
ever thine, ever mine, ever ours — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Anyone who tells a lie has not pure heart, and cannot make good soup. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
It is the power of music to carry one directly into the mental state of the composer. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
O, 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, and I would have ended my life - it was only my art that held me back. Ah, it seemed impossible to leave the world until I had brought forth all that I felt was within me. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
I know of no more sacred duty than to rear and educate a child. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Recommend to your children virtues, that alone can make them happy, not gold. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
I like your opera - I think I will set it to music — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Handel is the greatest composer that ever lived ... I would uncover my head and kneel down on his tomb. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
He that divines the secret of my music is freed from the unhappiness that haunts the whole world of men. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Let your deafness no longer be a secret - even in art. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
I joyfully hasten to meet death. If it come before I have had opportunity to develop all my artistic faculties, it will come, my hard fate notwithstanding, too soon, and I should probably wish it later - yet even then I shall be happy, for will it not deliver me from a state of endless suffering? — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Only the pure in heart can make a good soup. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Plaudite, amici, comedia finita est.
(Applaud, my friends, the comedy is over.)
[Said on his deathbed] — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Don't regard yourself as too divine to improve, occasionally, your own works. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Anyone who tells a lie has not a pure heart, and cannot make a good soup. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
When somewhat at a distance, I cannot hear the high tones of instruments, voices. In speaking, it is not surprising that there are people who have never noticed it, for as a rule I am absent-minded, and they account for it in that way. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
A true artist is expected to be all that is noble-minded, and this is not altogether a mistake; on the other hand, however, in what a mean way are critics allowed to pounce upon us. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Friends applaud, the comedy is over. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Music is the mediator between the life of the senses and the life of the spirit. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Strange, I feel as if up to now I had written no more than a few notes. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
You - my life - my All - farewell.
Oh, go on loving me - never doubt
the faithfullest heart
Of your beloved
L
Ever thine
Ever mine
Ever ours. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
To me the highest thing, after God, is my honor. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
One must not hold one's self so divine as to be unwilling occasionally to make improvements in one's creations. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
I carry my thoughts about with me for a long time, often for a very long time, before writing them down. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Art! Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess? — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Love demands all, and has a right to all. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
There is no loftier mission than to approach the Divinity nearer than other men, and to disseminate the divine rays among mankind. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Fate gave to man the courage of endurance. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
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. — Ludwig Van Beethoven
Must it be? It must be. — Ludwig Van Beethoven