I don't let myself get carried away by my own ideas - I abandon 19 out of 20 of them every day.

Quote by Gustav Mahler

Topics: Gustav Mahler Quotes

I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.

I am hitting my head against the walls, but the walls are giving way.

I live like a Hottentot. I cannot exchange one sensible word with anyone.

I live like a Hottentot. I cannot exchange one sensible word with anyone.

Never let oneself be guided by the opinion of one's contemporaries. Continue steadfastly on one's...

Never let oneself be guided by the opinion of one's contemporaries. Continue steadfastly on one's...

The point is not to take the world's opinion as a guiding star but to...

The point is not to take the world's opinion as a guiding star but to...

If you think you're boring your audience, go slower not faster.

If you think you're boring your audience, go slower not faster.

To judge a composer's work, one must consider it as a whole.

To judge a composer's work, one must consider it as a whole.

If I weren't the way I am, I shouldn't write my symphonies.

If I weren't the way I am, I shouldn't write my symphonies.

A symphony must be like the world. It must contain everything.

A symphony must be like the world. It must contain everything.

If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not...

If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not...

It's not just a question of conquering a summit previously unknown, but of tracing, step...

It's not just a question of conquering a summit previously unknown, but of tracing, step...

I beg of you... never assume an inner or an outer pose, never a disguise.

I beg of you... never assume an inner or an outer pose, never a disguise.

Don't bother looking at the view - I have already composed it.

Don't bother looking at the view - I have already composed it.

I was a crazy young man who let himself be blinded by his passions and...

I was a crazy young man who let himself be blinded by his passions and...

It is strange how one feels drawn forward without knowing at first where one is...

It is strange how one feels drawn forward without knowing at first where one is...

In its beginnings, music was merely chamber music, meant to be listened to in a...

In its beginnings, music was merely chamber music, meant to be listened to in a...

Discipline, work. Work, discipline.

Discipline, work. Work, discipline.

Melodic invention is one of the surest signs of a divine gift.

Melodic invention is one of the surest signs of a divine gift.

The longer you live and the more you learn, the more clearly you will feel...

The longer you live and the more you learn, the more clearly you will feel...

Beauty and fullness of tone can be achieved by having the whole orchestra play with...

Beauty and fullness of tone can be achieved by having the whole orchestra play with...

Destiny smiles upon me but without making me the least bit happier.

Destiny smiles upon me but without making me the least bit happier.