58 Quotes by Ned Rorem

The Great don’t innovate, they fertilize seeds planted by lackeys, they leave to others the inhaling of the flowers whose roots they’ve manured. A deceptive memory may be the key to their originality.

If you read reviews of concerts, the word ‘creative’ comes up all the time. However, performers playing music usually aren’t creative. Critics might say they are, but they’re just playing another persons work. They didn’t create it.

Don’t be too dismissive of children. While it’s true that few children are artists, all artists are children.

We endow our poor lovers with godly traits, and then destroy them for being mortal.