58 Quotes by Ned Rorem

Why, after all, must everyone like music? That they are missing something is just the lover’s opinion.

An artist doesn’t necessarily have deeper feelings than other people, but he can express these feelings. He is like everyone else-only more so! He speaks with a Formal Sigh.

Art means to dare – and to have been right.

The hardest of all the arts to speak of is music, because music has no meaning to speak of.

I don’t go to concerts much. I’ve heard everything. When I do go to movies, I walk out half the time. As for literature, I’ve read everything.

Artists, by definition innocent, don’t steal. But they do borrow without giving back.

Sooner or later you’ve heard all your best friends have to say. Then comes the tolerance of real love.

Anyone can be gay – it’s no accomplishment – but only I can be me.

Art’s the biggest vanity: the assumption that one’s view of peace or fright or beauty is permanently communicable.