Ned Rorem

Artists-by definition innocent-don't steal. But they do borrow without giving back.

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An artist doesn't necessarily have deeper feelings than other people, but he can express these feelings. He is like everyone else-only more so! He speaks with a Formal Sigh.

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To start writing about your life is, from one standpoint, to stop living it. You must avoid adventures today so as to make time for registering those of yesterday.

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Sooner or later you've heard about all your best friends have to say. Then comes the tolerance of real love.

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Sooner or later you've heard all your best friends have to say Then comes the tolerance of real love.

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Greatness is not the effect of which inspiration is the cause. We are all inspired, but we are all not great.

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Why, after all, must everyone like music? That they are missing something is just the lover's opinion.

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It's not evil that's ruining the earth, but mediocrity. The crime is not that Nero played while Rome burned, but that he played badly.

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Perfection is no more a requisite to art than to heroes. Frigidaires are perfect. Beauty limps. My frigidaire has had to be replaced.

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Quotes by Ned Rorem