In that case I will devote my life to beating my head against that wall. John Cage More Quotes by John Cage More Quotes From John Cage There is no such thing as an empty space or an empty time. There is always something to see, something to hear. In fact, try as we may to make a silence, we cannot. John Cage music time life I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones. John Cage change motivational inspirational Everything you do is music, and everywhere is the best seat. John Cage seats If my work is accepted, I must move on to the point where it is not. John Cage accepted ifs moving The world is no longer a romantic place; some of its people still are however, and therein lies the promise. Don't let the world win. John Cage dream winning lying The first question I ask myself when something doesn't seem to be beautiful is why do I think it's not beautiful. And very shortly you discover that there is no reason. John Cage beautiful beauty reality When you start working, everybody is in your studio- the past, your friends, enemies, the art world, and above all, your own ideas- all are there. But as you continue painting, they start leaving, one by one, and you are left completely alone. Then, if you are lucky, even you leave. John Cage past ideas art Look at everything. Don't close your eyes to the world around you. Look and become curious and interested in what there is to see. John Cage grateful eye looks Get yourself out of whatever cage you find yourself in. John Cage finding-yourself cages The act of listening is in fact an act of composing. John Cage composing listening facts If something is boring after two minutes, try it for four. If still boring, then eight. Then sixteen. Then thirty-two. Eventually one discovers that it is not boring at all. John Cage eight music inspirational Our intention is to affirm this life, not to bring order out of chaos, nor to suggest improvements in creation, but simply to wake up to the very life we're living, which is so excellent once one gets one's mind and desires out of its way and lets it act of it's own accord. John Cage mind desire order The material of music is sound and silence. Integrating these is composing. John Cage integrating silence sound If you develop an ear for sounds that are musical it is like developing an ego. You begin to refuse sounds that are not musical and that way cut yourself off from a good deal of experience. John Cage ego cutting music Art is whatever you can get away with. John Cage get-away art-is art My favorite piece [piece of music] is the one we hear all the time if we are quiet. John Cage my-favorite pieces quiet I have nothing to say, and I am saying it. John Cage My favourite music is the music I haven't yet heard. I don't hear the music I write: I write in order to hear the music I haven't yet heard. John Cage favourite writing order It is better to make a piece of music than to perform one, better to perform one than to listen to one, better to listen to one than to misuse it as a means of distraction, entertainment, or acquisition of 'culture.' John Cage acquisition listening mean Ideas are one thing and what happens is another. John Cage one-thing happens ideas