By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
In a letter to German poet and statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German writer Bettina von Arnim quoted this line first spoken by her friend Ludwig von Beethoven, whose musical ability had by that point (the early 1800s) taken Europe by storm. In the view of the virtuoso, the unspeakable quality of music to uncover deep emotion and understanding surpasses that of any works by sages and philosophers. For Beethoven, to hear and be moved by a musical composition is to experience the highest intellectual state.

12 of the All-Time Greatest Zingers

12 Quotes for When You’re Feeling Overstimulated

17 Quotes To Help You Embrace Imperfection

19 Quotes To Keep You Hopeful

12 Quotes Every Stubborn Person Needs To Read

13 Hilarious Lines From History’s Funniest Poets

15 Quotes That Get to the Heart of Buddhism

Life-Affirming Quotes About Human Connection

12 Quotes About Making Big Changes Later in Life

Reassuring Quotes To Beat the Winter Blues

14 Motivational Quotes From Super Bowl-Winning Coaches