Duke Ellington

"Death is simply the final note in a beautiful composition."

"Perseverance turns obstacles into opportunities."

"Faith is believing in tomorrow even when today is uncertain."

"A leader is someone who plays the music others want to dance to."

"Dreams don't work unless you do."

"Humor is the best weapon against despair."

"Technology can never replace the human touch in music."

"Philosophy is just asking the right questions over and over."

"Literature and music are cousins in the art of storytelling."

"There is more to life than just living, there is creating."

"Education is the key to understanding the world around us."

"Time is the one thing we all run out of eventually."

"A true friend is someone who listens without judgment."

"Family is where we learn our first lessons about love."

"Hope is the thing that keeps us moving forward."

"Change is inevitable, growth is optional."

"A cat meows to let you know he's around. That's what I do with my music."

"Playing is like writing - you're composing in the moment."

"The bandstand is my pulpit."

"I don't need time. Time always comes to those who wait."

"There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind."

"Life is a gift. Open it."

"The most important thing I've learned is that you can't let fear stop you."

"I like the sound of a tuning orchestra."

"All music is folk music. I ain't never heard no horse sing a song."

"We all do ad-libbing. We ad-lib in life."

"I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues."

"You can't just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream."

"Problems are chances for do better."

"I love you madly - but not as much as I love jazz."