I alter some things, eliminate and try again until I am satisfied. Then begins the mental working out of this material in its breadth, its narrowness, its height and depth.
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Music transcends traditional wisdom and philosophy, acting as a vital source for creativity and spiritual expression.
In this quote, Beethoven emphasizes the profound impact of music on the human spirit, arguing that it serves as a greater source of revelation than conventional wisdom or philosophical thought. He suggests that music provides a nurturing environment for the mind and spirit, allowing for creativity and inspiration to flourish in ways that are essential to our existence.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of arts education, one might say, 'As Beethoven noted, music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy, highlighting its essential role in nurturing creativity.'
More from Ludwig Van Beethoven
All quotes βOften, I can scarcely hear any one speaking to me; the tones yes, but not the actual words; yet as soon as any one shouts, it is unbearable. What will come of all this, heaven only knows!
Music is the wine which inspires one to new generative processes, and I am Bacchus who presses out this glorious wine for mankind and makes them spiritually drunken.
I carry my thoughts about me for a long time, often a very long time, before I write them down; meanwhile my memory is so faithful that I am sure never to forget, not even in years, a theme that has once occurred to me.
Recommend virtue to your children; it alone, not money, can make them happy. I speak from experience.
I have never thought of writing for reputation and honor. What I have in my heart must come out; that is the reason why I compose.
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It has often been observed that the repercussion of poetic language on prose language can be considered a decisive cut of a whip.