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69 Top Richard Wagner Quotes That You Will Surely Love

Famous As: Known for His Operas and Music Dramas ‘Der Ring des Nibelungen’ and ‘Tristan und Isolde’
Born On: May 22, 1813
Died On: February 13, 1883
Born In: Leipzig, Germany
Died At Age: 69
Richard Wagner was a famous German composer and theatre director known for his brilliant operas. As a child he was very ambitious and wrote his first drama at the age of 11 and then developed his first composition at the age of 16. He performed his first symphony during his graduation. He then joined the ‘Magdeburg Theatre’ as a music director and came up with the lyrics and music for ‘Das Liebesverbot’. He moved to Riga to work on his first staged opera titled ‘Rienzi’ which turned out to be a failure and he had to escape to Paris to avoid his creditors. His was in a self-imposed-exile for 12 long years doing some petty jobs to survive. During this period he started off by writing a libretto for a single opera called ‘Siegfrieds Tod (Siegfried's Death)’ which was followed by a sequel ‘Der junge Siegfried’. His most appreciated work ‘Ring Cycle’ enhanced his reputation as a composer. His work had fascinated the king of Wagner who invited him to stage his famous works and even cleared all his debts to end his exile. We bring to you a collection of quotes and thoughts by Richard Wagner which have been curated from his work, compositions, writings, dramas and librettos.  Presenting some of the notable quotations and sayings by Richard Wagner.
Joy is not in things; it is in us

Joy is not in things; it is in us

Richard Wagner
Certain things in Mozart will and can never be excelled.

Certain things in Mozart will and can never be excelled.

Richard Wagner
...music is the living God in our bosoms.

...music is the living God in our bosoms.

Richard Wagner
I am writing Parsifal only for my wife - if I had to depend on the German spirit, I should have nothing more to say.

I am writing Parsifal only for my wife - if I had to depend on the German spirit, I should have nothing more to say.

Richard Wagner
It is impossible to communicate with Schumann. The man is hopeless; he doesn't talk at all.

It is impossible to communicate with Schumann. The man is hopeless; he doesn't talk at all.

Richard Wagner
The most tremendous genius raised Mozart above all masters, 
 in all centuries and in all the arts.

The most tremendous genius raised Mozart above all masters, in all centuries and in all the arts.

Richard Wagner
Music truely has to all other arts the same relation as religion to the church.

Music truely has to all other arts the same relation as religion to the church.

Richard Wagner

The long-term vision is to replace, repair and regenerate failing tissues and organs with the materials of tissues and organs. It's still 'out there,' but it's possible to put together a grant proposal now that doesn't sound completely crazy.

Richard Wagner
...you know my faithfulness to you, never can another own my heart, never - never - never...

...you know my faithfulness to you, never can another own my heart, never - never - never...

Richard Wagner
I know nothing at all about music.

I know nothing at all about music.

Richard Wagner
The immoral profession of musical criticism must be abolished.

The immoral profession of musical criticism must be abolished.

Richard Wagner
The purpose of art: to make the unconscious conscious.

The purpose of art: to make the unconscious conscious.

Richard Wagner
Many's the man/ who thought himself wise/ but what he needed/ he did not know...

Many's the man/ who thought himself wise/ but what he needed/ he did not know...

Richard Wagner
Any so-called stimulus program is a ruse. The government can increase its spending only by reducing private spending equivalently.

Any so-called stimulus program is a ruse. The government can increase its spending only by reducing private spending equivalently.

Richard Wagner
Achievements, seldom credited to their source, are the result of unspeakable drudgery and worries.

Achievements, seldom credited to their source, are the result of unspeakable drudgery and worries.

Richard Wagner
The only form of music is melody, without melody music is not feasible, and music and melody are quite inseparable.

The only form of music is melody, without melody music is not feasible, and music and melody are quite inseparable.

Richard Wagner
Music is the inarticulate speech of the heart, which cannot be compressed into words, because it is infinite.

Music is the inarticulate speech of the heart, which cannot be compressed into words, because it is infinite.

Richard Wagner

I believe in God, Mozart and Beethoven, and likewise their disciples and apostles; - I believe in the Holy Spirit and the truth of the one, indivisible Art; - I believe that this Art proceeds from God, and lives within the hearts of all illumined men; - I believe that he who once has bathed in the sublime delights of this high Art, is consecrate to Her for ever, and never can deny Her; - I believe that through Art all men are saved.

Richard Wagner
I regard the Jewish race as the born enemy of pure humanity and everything that is noble in it.

I regard the Jewish race as the born enemy of pure humanity and everything that is noble in it.

Richard Wagner
We must learn to die, and to die in the fullest sense of the word. The fear of the end is the source of all lovelessness

We must learn to die, and to die in the fullest sense of the word. The fear of the end is the source of all lovelessness

Richard Wagner
I hate this fast growing tendency to chain men to machines in big factories and deprive them of all joy in their efforts - the plan will lead to cheap men and cheap products.

I hate this fast growing tendency to chain men to machines in big factories and deprive them of all joy in their efforts - the plan will lead to cheap men and cheap products.

Richard Wagner

When religion becomes artificial, art has a duty to rescue it. Art can show that the symbols which religions would have us believe literally true are actually figurative. Art can idealize those symbols, and so reveal the profound truths they contain.

Richard Wagner
The essence of higher instrumental music lays herein that one is able to express in tones that what one is unable to say in words.

The essence of higher instrumental music lays herein that one is able to express in tones that what one is unable to say in words.

Richard Wagner
Human dignity begins to assert itself only at the point where man is distinguishable from the beast by pity for it.

Human dignity begins to assert itself only at the point where man is distinguishable from the beast by pity for it.

Richard Wagner
A political man is disgusting, but a political wife, horrible.

A political man is disgusting, but a political wife, horrible.

Richard Wagner
Imagination creates reality.

Imagination creates reality.

Richard Wagner
Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them.

Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them.

Richard Wagner
I know of only one composer who measures up to Beethoven, and that is Bruckner.

I know of only one composer who measures up to Beethoven, and that is Bruckner.

Richard Wagner
The whole duty of a conductor is comprised in his ability to indicate the right tempo.

The whole duty of a conductor is comprised in his ability to indicate the right tempo.

Richard Wagner
My destiny is solitude, and my life is work.

My destiny is solitude, and my life is work.

Richard Wagner
One might say that where Religion becomes artificial, it is reserved for Art to save the spirit of religion.

One might say that where Religion becomes artificial, it is reserved for Art to save the spirit of religion.

Richard Wagner
Wherever the fish are, that's where we go.

Wherever the fish are, that's where we go.

Richard Wagner
I have long been convinced that my artistic ideal stands or falls with Germany. Only the Germany that we love and desire can help us achieve that ideal.

I have long been convinced that my artistic ideal stands or falls with Germany. Only the Germany that we love and desire can help us achieve that ideal.

Richard Wagner
I am convinced that there are universal currents of Divine Thought vibrating the ether everywhere and that any who can feel these vibrations is inspired.

I am convinced that there are universal currents of Divine Thought vibrating the ether everywhere and that any who can feel these vibrations is inspired.

Richard Wagner
If experiments on animals were abandoned on grounds of compassion, mankind would have made a fundamental advance.

If experiments on animals were abandoned on grounds of compassion, mankind would have made a fundamental advance.

Richard Wagner
I write music with an exclamation point!

I write music with an exclamation point!

Richard Wagner
Bruckner he is my man!

Bruckner he is my man!

Richard Wagner

It is necessary for us to explain the involuntary repugnance we possess for the nature and personality of the Jews ... The Jews have never produced a true poet. Heinrich Heine reached the point where he duped himself into a poet, and was rewarded by his versified lies being set to music by our own composers. He was the conscience of Judaism, just as Judaism is the evil conscience of our modern civilization.

Richard Wagner

It should not be presumed that these people (the Jews), who are so separated from us by their religion, have any right to make our laws. But why blame the Jews? It is we who lack all feeling for our own identity, all sense of honour.

Richard Wagner
In contrast to reincarnation and karma, all other views seem petty and narrow

In contrast to reincarnation and karma, all other views seem petty and narrow

Richard Wagner
Divorce is one of the most financially traumatic things you can go through. Money spent on getting mad or getting even is money wasted.

Divorce is one of the most financially traumatic things you can go through. Money spent on getting mad or getting even is money wasted.

Richard Wagner

What a wonderful work Wagner has done for humanity in translating the toil of life into the readable script of music! For those who seek the tale of other worlds his magic is silent; but earth-travail under his wand becomes instinct with rhythmic song to an accompaniment of the elements, and the blare and crash of the bottomless pit itself.

Richard Wagner
I wish I could score everything for horns.

I wish I could score everything for horns.

Richard Wagner
The error in the art-genre of Opera consists herein: a Means of expression (Music) has been made the end, while the End of expression (the Drama) has been made a means.

The error in the art-genre of Opera consists herein: a Means of expression (Music) has been made the end, while the End of expression (the Drama) has been made a means.

Richard Wagner
That even in its sharpest pangs of pain a dog can still caress its master we have learnt from the studies of vivisectors.

That even in its sharpest pangs of pain a dog can still caress its master we have learnt from the studies of vivisectors.

Richard Wagner
I believe in God, Mozart, and Beethoven.

I believe in God, Mozart, and Beethoven.

Richard Wagner
Those who grasp the whole, will also comprehend all parts of that whole, even when immediate technical understanding is lacking, and recognize and marshal these.

Those who grasp the whole, will also comprehend all parts of that whole, even when immediate technical understanding is lacking, and recognize and marshal these.

Richard Wagner
I know absolutely nothing about music.

I know absolutely nothing about music.

Richard Wagner
Whatever my passions demand of me, I become for the time being - musician, poet, director, author, lecturer or anything else.

Whatever my passions demand of me, I become for the time being - musician, poet, director, author, lecturer or anything else.

Richard Wagner
Blessed be, the genius who never knew good fortune! Genius in itself already means so much; what meaning does luck still hold for him?

Blessed be, the genius who never knew good fortune! Genius in itself already means so much; what meaning does luck still hold for him?

Richard Wagner
One siupreme fact which I have discovered is that it is not willpower, but fantasy and imagination that ceates. Imagination is the creative force. Imagination creates reality.

One siupreme fact which I have discovered is that it is not willpower, but fantasy and imagination that ceates. Imagination is the creative force. Imagination creates reality.

Richard Wagner
Attack and defence, want and war, victory and defeat, lordship and thraldom, all sealed with the seal of blood: this from henceforth is the History of Man.

Attack and defence, want and war, victory and defeat, lordship and thraldom, all sealed with the seal of blood: this from henceforth is the History of Man.

Richard Wagner
For once you are going to hear a dream, a dream that I have made sound... I dreamed all this; never could my poor head have invented such a thing.

For once you are going to hear a dream, a dream that I have made sound... I dreamed all this; never could my poor head have invented such a thing.

Richard Wagner
These revelations expressed through Art work upon the soul with a force carrying its own conviction and permeate our sentient life with a sense of truth which logic and mere reason are powerless to combat.

These revelations expressed through Art work upon the soul with a force carrying its own conviction and permeate our sentient life with a sense of truth which logic and mere reason are powerless to combat.

Richard Wagner
I am fond of them, of the inferior beings of the abyss, of those who are full of longing.

I am fond of them, of the inferior beings of the abyss, of those who are full of longing.

Richard Wagner
Even if I know I shall never change the masses, never transform anything permanent, all I ask is that the good things also have their place, their refuge.

Even if I know I shall never change the masses, never transform anything permanent, all I ask is that the good things also have their place, their refuge.

Richard Wagner
Whatever I thought right, to others seemed wrong; what I held to be bad, others approved of.

Whatever I thought right, to others seemed wrong; what I held to be bad, others approved of.

Richard Wagner
Plant life instead of animal food is the keystone of regeneration. Jesus used bread instead of flesh and wine in place of blood at the Lord's Supper.

Plant life instead of animal food is the keystone of regeneration. Jesus used bread instead of flesh and wine in place of blood at the Lord's Supper.

Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner, a musician who wrote music which is better than it sounds.

Richard Wagner, a musician who wrote music which is better than it sounds.

Richard Wagner
It is a truth forever, that where the speech of man stops short there Music's reign begins.

It is a truth forever, that where the speech of man stops short there Music's reign begins.

Richard Wagner
The language of tones belongs equally to all mankind, and melody is the absolute language in which the musician speaks to every heart.

The language of tones belongs equally to all mankind, and melody is the absolute language in which the musician speaks to every heart.

Richard Wagner
But then such a book as this is not meant to amuse.

But then such a book as this is not meant to amuse.

Richard Wagner
The oldest, truest, most beautiful organ of music, the origin to which alone our music owes its being, is the human voice.

The oldest, truest, most beautiful organ of music, the origin to which alone our music owes its being, is the human voice.

Richard Wagner

Whether government finances its added spending by increasing taxes, by borrowing, or by inflating the currency, the added spending will be offset by reduced private spending. Furthermore, private spending is generally more efficient than the government spending that would replace it because people act more carefully when they spend their own money than when they spend other people's money.

Richard Wagner

What Music expresses is eternal, infinite, and ideal; she expresses not the passion, love, desire, of this or that individual in this or that condition, but Passion, Love, Desire itself, and in such infinitely varied phases as lie in her unique possession and are foreign and unknown to any other tongue...So...Here's to Victory, gained by our higher sense over the worthlessness of the vulgar! To Love, which crowns our courage...To the day, to the night!...And three cheers for Music...

Richard Wagner

The sounds proceeding from the instruments of symphonic music seem to be the very organs of the mysteries of creation; for they reveal, as it were, the primal stirrings of creation which brought order out of chaos long before the human heart was there to behold them.

Richard Wagner

True drama can be conceived only as resulting from the collective impulse of all the arts to communicate in the most immediate way with a collective public... Thus especially the art of tone, developed with such singular diversity in instrumental music, will realize in the collective artwork its richest potential -- will indeed incite the pantomimic art of dancing in turn to wholly new discoveries and inspire the breath of poetry no less to an undreamed-of fullness. For in its isolation music has formed itself an organ capable of the most immeasurable expression - the orchestra.

Richard Wagner

From its first faint glimmerings, History shews Man's constant progress as a beast of prey. As such he conquers every land, subdues the fruit-fed races, founds mighty realms by subjugating other subjugators, forms states and sets up civilisations, to enjoy his prey at rest.

Richard Wagner