Melody is the essence of music. I compare a good melodist to a fine racer, and counterpointists to hack post-horses; therefore be advised, let well alone and remember the old Italian proverb: 'Chi sa più, meno sa - Who knows most, knows least.

As spoken to Michael Kelly, from Reminiscences of Michael Kelly, of the King's Theatre, and Theatre Royal Drury Lane, including a period of nearly half a century; with Original Anecdotes of many distinguished Personnages, Political, Literary, and Musical - London, Henry Colburn, 1826; digitized 2006.

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I must give you a piece of intelligence that you perhaps already know - namely, that the ungodly arch-villain Voltaire has died miserably like a dog - just like a brute. That is his reward!

Letter to Leopold Mozart - 03-07-1778, from The letters of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 1769-1791, translated, from the collection of Ludwig Nohl, by Lady Wallace - Oxford University Press, 1865, digitized 2006.

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The passions, whether violent or not, should never be so expressed as to reach the point of causing disgust; and music, even in situations of the greatest horror, should never be painful to the ear but should flatter and charm it, and thereby always remain music.

Letter by Mozart, as quoted in a journal entry - 12-12-1856 - The Journal of Eugene Delacroixas translated by Walter Pach - 1937.

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My fatherland has always the first claim on me.

Letter to Leopold Mozart - 24-11-1781, from Mozart: The Man and the Artist, as Revealed in his own Words by Friedrich Kerst, trans. Henry Edward Krehbiel - 1906.

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As I love Mannheim, Mannheim loves me.

Letter to Leopold Mozart - Mannheim, 12-11-1778, from Mozart's Letters, Mozart's Life: Selected Letters, ed. Robert Spaethling - 2000.

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I pay no attention whatever to anybody's praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings.

Musician's Little Book of Wisdom‎ - 1996, by Scott E. Power.

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I care very little for Salzburg and not at all for the archbishop: I shit on both of them.

Letter to Leopold Mozart - 12-07-1783, from The Complete Operas of Mozart: a critical guide By Charles Osborne - 1983.

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As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence, I have formed during the last few years such close relationships with this best and truest friend of mankind that death's image is not only no longer terrifying to me, but is indeed very soothing and consoling, and I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity...of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness. I never lie down at night without reflecting that - young as I am - I may not live to see another day. Yet no one of all my acquaintances could say that in company I am morose or disgruntled.

Letter to Leopold Mozart - 04-04-1787, from The Mozart-Da Ponte Operas by Andrew Steptoe - 1988.

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It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and diligently studied.

Spoken in Prague, 1787, to conductor Kucharz, who led the rehearsals for Don Giovanni, from Mozart: The Man and the Artist, as Revealed in his own Words by Friedrich Kerst, trans. Henry Edward Krehbiel - 1906.

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Stay with me to-night; you must see me die. I have long had the taste of death on my tongue, I smell death, and who will stand by my Constanze, if you do not stay?

Spoken on his deathbed to his sister-in-law, Sophie Weber - 05-12-1791, from Mozart: The Man and the Artist, as Revealed in his own Words by Friedrich Kerst, trans. Henry Edward Krehbiel - 1906.

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