Duke Ellington

The wise musicians are those who play what they can master.

I’m sure critics have their purpose, and they’re supposed to do what they do, but sometimes they get a little carried away with what they think someone should have done, rather than concerning themselves with what he did.

Critics get a little carried away with what someone should have done, rather than what he did.

A goal is a dream with a finish line.

Playing ‘bop’ is like playing Scrabble with all the vowels missing.

By and large, jazz has always been like the kind of a man you wouldn’t want your daughter to associate with.

It is true that I am often startled and even angered and repulsed by the strange directions and provocative content of new forms that seem to pop up every few months.

There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.

It is just good practice to do a situational scan and have situational awareness when you are out in the world.

Every man is the architect of his own fortune.

Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.

I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possesion, a duty.

Trees are among the most useful things grown.

I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.

Whatever your goal in life, the beginning is knowledge and experience- or, briefly work.

You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself.

When you embark for strange places don’t leave any of yourself safely at the shore… Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.

I don’t think I’ve made mistakes. Every time somebody said I made a mistake, they do the polls and my numbers go up, so I guess I haven’t made any mistakes.

Thousands of geniuses live and die undiscovered – either by themselves or by others.

Should a man quit at 40 he is failure-Retire at that age is sorry failure.

Whenever you get the idea that you are ‘fixed’ or that anything is ‘fixed’ for life, you’d better get ready for a sudden change.