It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of … - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

People err who think my art comes easily to me. I assure you, dear friend, nobody has devoted so much time and thought to compositions as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not industriously studied through many times.

(...) he must have thought: this is a young fellow and a stupid German besides - that's just how all French speak of the Germans - he will be quite content with this - but the stupid German was not content - and didn't accept the money either (...).

All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak — and speak in such a way that people will remember it.

A man of ordinary talent will always be ordinary, whether he travels or not; but a man of superior talent will go to pieces if he remains forever in the same place.