“There are certain things in which mediocrity is not to be endured, such as poetry, music, painting, public speaking
“If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once a week.
“Give me books, fruit, French wine and fine weather and a little music out of doors, played by someone I do not know
“Not many sounds in life, and I include all urban and rural sounds, exceed in interest a knock at the door
“The trumpet does no more stun you by its loudness, than a whisper teases you by its provoking inaudibility