And I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinking.

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.

Art is permitted to survive only if it renounces the right to be different, and integrates itself into the omnipotent realm of the profane.

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

Art not only imitates nature, but also completes its deficiencies.

Once you become predictable, no one's interested anymore.

The man who writes about himself and his own time is the only man who writes about all people and all time.

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

Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.

Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.

What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.

To play without passion is inexcusable!

If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don't write, because our culture has no use for it.

Intellectual passion drives out sensuality.

Rhythm is something you either have or don't have, but when you have it, you have it all over.

Comedy is the blues for people who can?t sing.

The only escape from the miseries of life are music and cats...

Music in the soul can be heard by the universe.

Real popular culture is folk art - coalminers' songs and so forth.

It's so sweet, I feel like my teeth are rotting when I listen to the radio.

I have a genuine love affair with my audience. When I`m on stage they`re not privileged to see me. It`s a privilege for me to see them.