Aulis Sallinen's Quotes

If music leaves any impression at all, it does so without regard to stylistic issues.

I feel that all good art is powerful and simple.

I really believe in melody.

These days people wallow in enormous masses of sound.

Every bad precedent originated as a justifiable measure.

Every man is the architect of his own fortune.

Everything that rises sets, and everything that grows, grows old.

In my opinion it is less shameful for a king to be overcome by force of arms than by bribery.

In my own case, who have spent my whole life in the practice of virtue, right conduct from habitual has become natural.

Just to stir things up seemed a great reward in itself.

Kings are more prone to mistrust the good than the bad; and they are always afraid of the virtues of others.

Most honorable are services rendered to the State; even if they do not go beyond words, they are not to be despised.

The firmest friendship is based on an identity of likes and dislikes.

The glory that goes with wealth is fleeting and fragile; virtue is a possession glorious and eternal.

Those most moved to tears by every word of a preacher are generally weak and a rascal when the feelings evaporate.

To like and dislike the same things, this is what makes a solid friendship.

We employ the mind to rule, the body to serve.

He only seems to me to live, and to make proper use of life, who sets himself some serious work to do, and seeks the credit of a task well and skillfully performed.

In my opinion, he only may be truly said to live and enjoy his being who is engaged in some laudable pursuit, and acquires a name by some illustrious action, or useful art.

Harmony makes small things grow, lack of it makes great things decay.

A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means.

All those who offer an opinion on any doubtful point should first clear their minds of every sentiment of dislike, friendship, anger or pity.

As the blessings of health and fortune have a beginning, so they must also find an end. Everything rises but to fall, and increases but to decay.

Neither soldiers nor money can defend a king but only friends won by good deeds, merit, and honesty.

Do as much as possible, and talk of yourself as little as possible.

Think like a man of action, and act like a man of thought.