Why is it that whenever I hear a piece of music I don't like, it's always by Villa-Lobos?

- Igor Stravinsky

Just as appetite comes by eating, so work brings inspiration, if inspiration is not discernible at the beginning.

- Igor Stravinsky

I know that the twelve notes in each octave and the variety of rhythm offer me opportunities that all of human genius will never exhaust.

- Igor Stravinsky

Money may kindle, but it cannot by itself, and for very long, burn.

- Igor Stravinsky

Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end.

- Igor Stravinsky

Film music should have the same relationship to the film drama that somebody's piano playing in my living room has on the book I am reading.

- Igor Stravinsky

In order to create there must be a dynamic force, and what force is more potent than love?

- Igor Stravinsky

A good composer does not imitate; he steals.

- Igor Stravinsky

Is it not by love alone that we succeed in penetrating to the very essence of being?

- Igor Stravinsky

Lesser artists borrow, great artists steal.

- Igor Stravinsky

I have learned throughout my life as a composer chiefly through my mistakes and pursuits of false assumptions, not by my exposure to founts of wisdom and knowledge.

- Igor Stravinsky

The real composer thinks about his work the whole time; he is not always conscious of this, but he is aware of it later when he suddenly knows what he will do.

- Igor Stravinsky

What gives the artist real prestige is his imitators.

- Igor Stravinsky

I am an inventor of music.

- Igor Stravinsky

I was born out of due time in the sense that by temperament and talent I should have been more suited for the life of a small Bach, living in anonymity and composing regularly for an established service and for God.

- Igor Stravinsky

My music is best understood by children and animals.

- Igor Stravinsky

Harpists spend 90 percent of their lives tuning their harps and 10 percent playing out of tune.

- Igor Stravinsky

Conductors' careers are made for the most part with 'Romantic' music. 'Classic' music eliminates the conductor; we do not remember him in it.

- Igor Stravinsky

Sins cannot be undone, only forgiven.

- Igor Stravinsky

I am in the present. I cannot know what tomorrow will bring forth. I can know only what the truth is for me today. That is what I am called upon to serve, and I serve it in all lucidity.

- Igor Stravinsky