Anyone who tells a lie has not a pure heart, and cannot make a good soup.

— Ludwig van Beethoven

Applaud my friends, the comedy is over...[on his deathbed]

— Ludwig van Beethoven

Art! Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess?

— Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven can write music thank God - but he can do nothing else on earth.

— Ludwig van Beethoven

Beethoven can write music, thank God, but he can do nothing else on earth.

— Ludwig van Beethoven

Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.

— Ludwig van Beethoven

Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine.

— Ludwig van Beethoven

If once he has got the right fingering, plays in good time, with the notes fairly correct, then only pull him up about the rendering; and when he has arrived at that stage, don’t let him stop for the sake of small faults, but point them out to him when he has played the piece through. . . I have always adopted this plan; it soon forms musicians which, after all, is one of the first aims of art, and it gives less trouble both to master and pupil.

— Ludwig van Beethoven

I joyfully hasten to meet death. If it comes before I have had opportunity to develop all my artistic faculties, it will come, my hard fate notwithstanding, too soon, and I should probably wish it later - yet even then I shall be happy, for will it not deliver me from a state of endless suffering?

— Ludwig van Beethoven

I like your opera - I think I will set it to music

— Ludwig van Beethoven