Now I come to 75 years of age, I think what's most important in life is your conscience. If you told a lie and made other people suffer, I think that's very difficult when you reach this age.
Interpretation
As one ages, the importance of living truthfully and ethically becomes more apparent.
Mstislav Rostropovich reflects on the significance of conscience as one grows older, emphasizing that the impacts of dishonesty and the suffering it causes to others weigh heavily on a person's mind. At 75, he suggests that the moral choices made throughout life are paramount, and facing past wrongdoings can be particularly challenging as one approaches the end of life. This insight underscores the importance of integrity and the repercussions of our actions on ourselves and others.
In practice
During a speech on personal growth, one might use this quote to emphasize the value of honesty.
Every man must have the right fearlessly to think independently and express his opinion about what he knows, what he has personally thought about and experienced, and not merely to express with slightly different variations the opinion which has been inculcated in him.
People are craving this great progress in electronics, going after computers, the Internet, etc. It's a giant progress technologically. But they must have a balance of soul, a balance for human beauty. That means art has an important role.
The artist must forget the audience, _x000D_ forget the critics, forget the technique, forget everything but love for the music._x000D_ Then, the music speaks through the performance,_x000D_ and the performer and the listener will walk together_x000D_ with the soul of the composer, and with_x000D_ God.
When I started learning the cello, I fell in love with the instrument because it seemed like a voice - my voice.
I know that after my letter there will be undoubtedly an 'opinion' about me, but I am not afraid of it. I openly say what I think. Talent, of which we are proud, must not be submitted to the assaults of the past.
All my life I wanted to play music with love to every member of the audience.
I made one great mistake in my life-when I signed the letter to President Roosevelt recommending that atom bombs be made but there was some justification-the danger that the Germans would make them.
Whoever comes to me finds me a mirror to whatever is in his heart. Thus, I try to help him to see qualities in himself that he needs to overcome.
A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
I got at a very early age, the idea that the safest way to try and get what you want, is to try and deserve what you want._x000D_ It’s such a simple idea, it’s the golden rule so to speak. You want to deliver to the world what you would buy if you were on the other end.
Practice sharing the fullness of your being, your best self, your enthusiasm, your vitality, your spirit, your trust, your openness, above all, your presence. Share it with yourself, with your family, with the world.
The most powerful soporific is sleep itself.
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