Ludwig Van Beethoven Quotes

Music comes to me more readily than words. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Love demands all, and has a right to all. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

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. ~ 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 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

The amount of money one needs is terrifying ... ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

I know no other sign of superiority than Goodness. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Nothing is more intolerable than to have admit to yourself your own errors. ~ 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

Even in poverty I lived like a king for I tell you that nobility is the thing that makes a king ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Only the pure of heart can make a good soup. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Music from my fourth year began to be the first of my youthful occupations. Thus early acquainted with the gracious muse who tuned my soul to pure harmonies, I became fond of her, and, as it often seemed to me, she of me. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

The guitar is an orchestra in itself. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Art demands of us that we shall not stand still. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Good morning on the 7th of July.
while still in bed my thoughts turn towards you my Immortal Beloved, now and then happy, then sad again, waiting whether Fate might answer us. – I can only live either wholly with you or not at all, yes, I have resolved to stray about far away until I can fly into your arms, and feel at home with you, and send my soul embraced by you into the realm of the Spirits. – Yes, unfortunately it must be. – You will compose yourself, all the more since you know my faithfulness to you, never can another own my heart, never – never. – Oh God why do I have to separate from someone whom I love so much, and yet my life in V[ienna] as it is now is a miserable life. – Your love makes me at once most happy and most unhappy. – At my age, I would now need some conformity regularity in my life – can this exist in our relationship? – Angel, I just learned that the post goes every day – and I must therefore conclude so that you get the l[etter] straightway – be patient, only through quiet contemplation of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together – be calm – love me – today – yesterday. – What yearning with tears for you – you – you – my life – my everything – farewell – oh continue to love me – never misjudge the most faithful heart of your Beloved
L.
Forever thine
forever mine
forever us. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Friends applaud, the comedy is over. ~ 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

I have always reckoned myself among the greatest admirers of Mozart, and shall do so till the day of my death. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

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

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

Mistakes - mistakes - you yourself are a unique mistake! ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Jeremy Bentham startled the world many years ago by stating in effect that if the amount of pleasure obtained from each be equal there is nothing to choose between poetry and push-pin. Since few people now know what push-pin is, I may explain that it is a child's game in which one player tries to push his pin across that of another player, and if he succeeds and then is able by pressing down on the two pins with the ball of his thumb to lift them off the table he wins possession of his opponent's pin. [...] The indignant retort to Bentham's statement was that spiritual pleasures are obviously higher than physical pleasures. But who say so? Those who prefer spiritual pleasures. They are in a miserable minority, as they acknowledge when they declare that the gift of aesthetic appreciation is a very rare one. The vast majority of men are, as we know, both by necessity and choice preoccupied with material considerations. Their pleasures are material. They look askance at those who spent their lives in the pursuit of art. That is why they have attached a depreciatory sense to the word aesthete, which means merely one who has a special appreciation of beauty. How are we going to show that they are wrong? How are we going to show that there is something to choose between poetry and push-pin? I surmise that Bentham chose push-pin for its pleasant alliteration with poetry. Let us speak of lawn tennis. It is a popular game which many of us can play with pleasure. It needs skill and jud ~ W. Somerset Maugham

Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on earth. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

It is the power of music to carry one directly into the mental state of the composer. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

I shall seize fate by the throat. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

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. - Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Guy Kawasaki

Figured Bass (Harmony) and Religion are self-contained things, one should not argue these. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

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 ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

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

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

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

Consciousness is our gateway to experience: It enables us to recognize Van Gogh's starry skies, be enraptured by Beethoven's Fifth, and stand in awe of a snowcapped mountain. Yet consciousness is subjective, personal, and famously difficult to examine. ~ Daniel Bor

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. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

From the glow of enthusiasm I let the melody escape. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tones sound, and roar and storm about me until I have set them down in notes. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

ever thine, ever mine, ever ours ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Strange, I feel as if up to now I had written no more than a few notes. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Only the flint of a man's mind can strike fire in music. ~ 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

Hide your secret even from the closest friend; learn to be silent ... ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Music is the mediator between the life of the senses and the life of the spirit. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

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! ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Music is ... A higher revelation than all Wisdom & Philosophy ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

I will take fate by the throat; it will never bend me completely to its will. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

The true artist is not proud: he unfortunately sees that art has no limits; he feels darkly how far he is from the goal, and though he may be admired by others, he is sad not to have reached that point to which his better genius only appears as a distant, guiding sun. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

If I contemplate myself as part of the Universe: what am I? ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Music is mediator between spiritual and sensual life. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

You will not find a treatise that is too learned for me; without laying claim to any genuine learning, I yet accustomed myself from childhood onwards to grasp the spirit of the best and wisest in every age. Shame on the artist who does not consider it his duty to achieve at least so much. ~ 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

I would rather write 10,000 notes than a single letter of the alphabet. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

I love a tree more than a man. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

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. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

The foundation of friendship demands the greatest likeness of human souls and hearts. ~ 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 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

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

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

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

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

Wherever you are, I am there also. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Artists are fiery, they do not weep! ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

I know of no more sacred duty than to rear and educate a child. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Only the pure in heart can make a good soup. ~ 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

To sing a wrong note is insignificant, but to sing without passion is unforgivable. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

A great poet is the most precious jewel of a nation. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

I cannot bring myself to write for the flute, as this instrument is too limited and imperfect. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Must it be? It must be. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

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

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

Oh continue to love me -
never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.
ever thine
ever mine
ever ours ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Applaud my friends, the comedy is over ...
[on his death bed] ~ 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

I want to seize fate by the throat. ~ 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

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

An artist is someone who has learned to trust in himself. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

The Heiligenstadt Testament"

Oh! ye who think or declare me to be hostile, morose, and misanthropical, how unjust you are, and how little you know the secret cause of what appears thus to you! My heart and mind were ever from childhood prone to the most tender feelings of affection, and I was always disposed to accomplish something great. But you must remember that six years ago I was attacked by an incurable malady, aggravated by unskillful physicians, deluded from year to year, too, by the hope of relief, and at length forced to the conviction of a lasting affliction (the cure of which may go on for years, and perhaps after all prove impracticable).

Born with a passionate and excitable temperament, keenly susceptible to the pleasures of society, I was yet obliged early in life to isolate myself, and to pass my existence in solitude. If I at any time resolved to surmount all this, oh! how cruelly was I again repelled by the experience, sadder than ever, of my defective hearing! - and yet I found it impossible to say to others: Speak louder; shout! for I am deaf! Alas! how could I proclaim the deficiency of a sense which ought to have been more perfect with me than with other men, - a sense which I once possessed in the highest perfection, to an extent, indeed, that few of my profession ever enjoyed! Alas, I cannot do this! Forgive me therefore when you see me withdraw from you with whom I would so gladly mingle. My misfortune is doubly severe from ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

On behalf of all that is good and melodic, Ludwig van Beethoven, I apologize. ~ Sarah Strohmeyer

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

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

For many artists fame complements the value of creative self-expression. Ludwig van Beethoven loved composing music, but he probably would have enjoyed it less if no one ever listened to the product. ~ Tyler Cowen

Artists who have won fame are often embarrassed by it; thus their first works are often their best. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

My heart is full of many things there are moments when I feel that speech is nothing after all. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Plaudite, amici, comedia finita est.
(Applaud, my friends, the comedy is over.)
[Said on his deathbed] ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

I can live only wholly with you or not at all. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Recommend to your children to be virtuous, only the virtue can bring us happiness, not the money. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

To play without passion is inexcusable! ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

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

Rossini would have been a great composer if his teacher had spanked him enough on his backside. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Art! Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess? ~ 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

I carry my thoughts about with me for a long time, often for a very long time, before writing them down. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Let your deafness no longer be a secret - even in art. ~ Ludwig Van Beethoven