Benjamin Zander Quotes

I have a definition of success. For me it’s very simple. It’s not about wealth and fame and power. It’s about how many shining eyes I have around me.

This is the moment — this is the most important moment right now. Which is: We are about contribution. That’s what our job is. It’s not about impressing people. It’s not about getting the next job. It’s about contributing something.

It is the tuning of the universe… It’s as if at the beginning of the symphony God turns up the volume just a tiny bit.

If you make a mistake, celebrate.

It’s not a question of how much power you can hoard for yourself, but how much you can give away.

Who am I being that my players’ eyes are not shining?

Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference, accepting that you may not understand how or why.

The major difference between the ‘best’ and the ‘average’ is that the ‘best’ get as much pleasure from practice as performance.

South Africa is a country built on possibility. Possibility lies in making a difference and creating value from a situation – without denying that certain issues exist.

I have a definition of success.

The conductor of an orchestra doesn’t make a sound. He depends, for his power, on his ability to make other people powerful.

I make myself a relentless architect of the possibilities of human beings.