82 Quotes by Frédéric Chopin

I’m a revolutionary, money means nothing to me.

The three most celebrated doctors on the island have been to see me. One sniffed at what I spat, the second tapped where I spat from, and the third sounded me and listened as I spat. The first said I was dead, the second that I was dying and the third that I’m going to die.

Bach is like an astronomer who, with the help of ciphers, finds the most wonderful stars.

I haven’t heard anything so great for a long time; Beethoven snaps his fingers at the whole world...

Hats off, gentlemen – a genius! If the mighty autocrat of the north knew what a dangerous enemy threatened him in Chopin’s works in the simple tunes of his mazurkas, he would forbid this music. Chopin’s works are canons buried in flowers.

You already know when I’m writing, so don’t be surprised if it’s short and dry, because I’m too hungry to write anything fat.

I don’t know how it is, but the Germans are amazed at me and I am amazed at them for finding anything to be amazed about.

I really don’t know whether any place contains more pianists than Paris, or whether you can find more asses and virtuosos anywhere.

Sometimes I can only groan, and suffer, and pour out my despair at the piano!