Nadia Boulanger

“Life is denied by lack of attention, whether it be to cleaning windows or trying to write a masterpiece.”

“Always remember your days are blessed. You may know how to profit from them or you may not, but they are blessed.”

“The essential conditions of everything you do must be choice, love, passion.”

“Do not take up music unless you would rather die than not do so.”

“I've been a woman for a little over 50 years and have gotten over my initial astonishment. As for conducting an orchestra, that's a job where I don't think sex plays much part.”

“Everything we know by heart enriches us and helps us find ourselves. If it should get in the way of finding ourselves, it is because we have no personality.”

“A great work is made out of a combination of obedience and liberty.”

“Loving a child doesn't mean giving in to all his whims; to love him is to bring out the best in him, to teach him to love what is difficult.”