To Me The Highest Thing, After God,

To Do Good Whenever One Can, To Love Liberty Above All Else, Never To Deny The Truth, Even Though It Be Before The Throne.

There Is No Greater Pleasure For Me Than To Practice And Exhibit My Art.

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.

What I Have In My Heart And Soul - Must Find A Way Out. That's The Reason For Music.

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.