Shinichi Suzuki Quotes & Sayings

Art is not in some far-off place. A work of art is the expression of a man's whole personality, sensibility and ability. — Shinichi Suzuki

To deceive oneself is worse than to deceive others. These harsh words pierced me to the core. — Shinichi Suzuki

Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited. — Shinichi Suzuki

I have come to the definite conclusion that musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. — Shinichi Suzuki

The fate of a child is in the hands of his parents. — Shinichi Suzuki

Man is the Child of his Environment — Shinichi Suzuki

If a musician wants to become a fine artist, he must first become a finer person. — Shinichi Suzuki

I played with children so that I could learn from them. — Shinichi Suzuki

The heart that feels music will feel people — Shinichi Suzuki

To make a resolution and act accordingly is to live with hope. There may be difficulties and hardships, but not disappointment or despair if you follow the path steadily. Do not hurry. This is a fundamental rule. If you hurry and collapse or tumble down, nothing is achieved. DO not rest in your efforts; this is another fundamental rule. Without stopping, without haste, carefully taking a step at a time forward will surely get you there. — Shinichi Suzuki

Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill. — Shinichi Suzuki

Beautiful tone, beautiful heart. — Shinichi Suzuki

Tone has the living soul. — Shinichi Suzuki

Any child can be developed, it depends on how you do it. — Shinichi Suzuki

A child's slowness in any subject indicates a deficiency in his environment, educational or otherwise. — Shinichi Suzuki

Music is the language of the heart without words. — Shinichi Suzuki

If I simply do my best, I cannot complain even if I am taken to hell. — Shinichi Suzuki

First character, then ability. — Shinichi Suzuki

Man is a child of his environment. — Shinichi Suzuki

When love is deep, much can be accomplished. — Shinichi Suzuki

Art exists for the human species. I think that all of the people who love art, those who teach art, and all of you should burn with the obligation to save the world. — Shinichi Suzuki

Live by looking for things to do for other people. — Shinichi Suzuki

Patience is the absence of expectation. — Shinichi Suzuki

Talent is no accident of birth. In today's society a good many people seem to have the idea that if one is born without talent, there is nothing he can do about it; they simply resign themselves to what they consider to be their fate. — Shinichi Suzuki

If he or she really goes about it in earnest, anyone can cultivate ability in ten years, I believe. Even in one year, shortcomings can be changed into good points if only we set our aims high enough. Continuing for ten years, we can become outstanding indeed ... There is no limit to our shortcomings. Until we die, we should spare no time or effort in changing our weaknesses to merits. To do so can be pleasant and interesting. We can become like the horse that starts last and yet outruns the field, reaching the wire first; it is the same fun. — Shinichi Suzuki

It is in our power to educate all the children of the world to become a little better as people, a little happier. — Shinichi Suzuki

Anything you think of doing, however insignificant, should be done immediately. Spur yourself on and carry it through without becoming discouraged. If this becomes an ingrained habit, things you thought were impossible will become possible, and closed doors will open, as you will discover in many ways. — Shinichi Suzuki

An unlimited amount of ability can develop when parent and child are having fun together. — Shinichi Suzuki

Practise only as many times as you have breakfast. — Shinichi Suzuki

What is man's ultimate direction in life? It is to look for love, truth, virtue, and beauty — Shinichi Suzuki

It is necessary to be concerned about the importance of educating a really beautiful human spirit. — Shinichi Suzuki

Children learn to smile from their parents. — Shinichi Suzuki

Every child grows; everything depends on the teacher. — Shinichi Suzuki

As I have said before, I had no illusions about my performing ability. But I did not know that my despair was brought about not because I had no talent but because I did not know how to develop it. — Shinichi Suzuki

Perhaps it is music that will save the world. — Shinichi Suzuki

Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart. — Shinichi Suzuki

Wrong education and upbringing produces ugly personalities, whereas a fine upbringing and good education will bring forth superior sense and feeling, as well as nobility and purity of mind. — Shinichi Suzuki

I cannot live without children. — Shinichi Suzuki

Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart. — Shinichi Suzuki

I play with children so that I can learn from them. — Shinichi Suzuki

I am mentally preparing myself for the five-year-old mind. I want to come down to their physical limitations and up to their sense of wonder and awe. — Shinichi Suzuki