34 Quotes by Johannes Brahms

What would become of all historical biography if it was written only with consideration for other peoples' feelings?

For the shallow delights of matrimony and opera I have no courage.

Never criticize the composition of a Royal Highness. You never know who may have written it.

Those are miracles that no merely human brain can work. The artist is merely the sound conduct of a Force that dictates to him what he should do.

In him converge all previous streams of tendency, not as into a pool, stagnant, passive, motionless, but as a noble river that received its tributary waters and bearss them onward in larger and statelier volume.

Straightaway the ideas flow in upon me, directly from God.

It is not hard to compose but it is wonderfully hard to let the superfluous notes fall under the table. . . So many melodies fly about, one must be careful not to tread on them.

It is a real pleasure to see music so bright and spontaneous expressed with corresponding ease and grace.

My things really are written with an appalling lack of practicality!