Virgil Thomson

“The way to write American music is simple. All you have to do is be an American and then write any kind of music you wish.”

“Let your mind alone. It will function when it has to.”

“Try a thing you haven't done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not.”

“Never look at the trombones. You'll only encourage them.”

“I've never known a musician who regretted being one. Whatever deceptions life may have in store for you, music itself is not going to let you down.”

“Every artist has to be an egotist. The egotism is the manifestation of the need to create.”

“If a piece of music is under control, it is classical. If it is not, it is romantic.”

“Patriotism is a lively sense of collective responsibility.”

“It is the business of the artist to make lucid the confused thoughts of his colleagues.”

“The history of music is the history of its composition, not of its performance.”

“My private life is a void, a gloomy cavern, but I don't mind, it's a good place to work.”

“Criticism is for the most part a thankless task.”