Shinichi Suzuki (1898–1998)

Suzuki writes in absolutes, and his my-way-is-the-only-correct-way POV can rub the reader (this reader, anyway) the wrong way at times, but this little book contains wisdom and his method obviously works...again, I wish I'd studied an instrument from, say, age 3.

p. 34 However wonderful the other person may be, it depends on us alone - whether we have the capacity to absorb their greatness. One has to educate oneself from within to benefit from the greatness of others. Only if one can do this can one fully realize the joy of being near someone who is great. Never lose your humility, for pride obscures the power to perceive truth and greatness.

p. 45-46 Confronted with a high mountain, you cannot reach the summit in one stride, but must climb step by step to approach your goal. There may be difficulties and hardships, but not disappointment or despair if you follow the path steadily. Do not hurry. This is a fundamental rule. If you hurry and collapse or tumble down, nothing is achieved. Do not rest in your efforts; this is another fundamental rule. Without stopping, without haste, carefully taking a step at a time forward will surely get you there. To commit yourself to untiring patience and strong endurance...is an absolute necessity in education.

p. 55 Intuition is the reliability slumbering at the base of rational experiences, and it works in an instant when needed.

p. 82 (on Mozart) "All right. Life is sad. But if there is love, see how beautiful life can be. The sad life that we all must live - let us go along together and comfort one another."… (more)