Joseph Haydn Quotations

Children be comforted, I am well.

Cheer up, children, I am all right.

The custom of saluting [i.e., embracing] ladies by their relatives and friends was introduced, it is said, by the early Romans, not out of respect originally, but to find by their breath whether they had been drinking wine, this being criminal for women to do, as it sometimes led to adultery.

I was for some time quite beside myself and could not believe that Providence could have required the presence of this indispensable man in the other world so soon.

I tell you before God, and as an honest man, your son (W A Mozart)is the greatest composer known to me by person and repute, he has taste and what is more the greatest skill in composition.

I would give my best quartet for a good razor,

Mozart is the incarnation of music.

The life's story of great geniuses is a sad one, without much tangible reward, which does not inspire future generations to face a similar fate. Alas also, it stands to reason why so many talent will not come to sparkle on the artistic firmanent.

I'm going to commune with God and I must be appropriately dressed!

I listened more than I studied... therefore little by little my knowledge and ability were developed.