I occasionally play works by contemporary composers and for two reasons. First, to discourage the composer from writing any more, and secondly to remind myself how much I appreciate Beethoven.

-Heifetz,Jascha
  In Life.

Most of our pocket wisdom is conceived for the use of mediocre people, to discourage them from ambitious attempts, and generally console them in their mediocrity.

-Stevenson, Robert Louis
Virginibus Puerisque,'Crabbed Age andYouth'.