Music is a means of rapid transportation.
John CageNothing is accomplished by writing a piece of music.
Nothing is accomplished by playing a piece of music.
Nothing is accomplished by hearing a piece of music.
Our ears are now in excellent condition.
John CageIf someone says can't, that shows you what to do.
John CageI can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones.
John CageThe act of listening is in fact an act of composing.
John CageWhen you make music you are acting as a philosopher. You can either do that consciously or you can do it unconsciously, but you're doing it.
John CageI don't enjoy being pushed while I'm listening. I like music which lets me do my own listening.
John CageEverything I see is something I haven't memorized.
John CageThere was a time at a concert where this young boy and his father were in front of me. Stravinsky was conducting.
The son turned to his father and said, "Dad, that isn't the way it goes." [laughs]
He was unable to listen because of his memory!
John CageI haven't yet heard sounds that I didn't enjoy, except when they became too musical.
I have trouble, I think, when music attempts to control me.
John Cage"That's noise!" some shrieked.
"That's life," Cage shrugged.
John CageLet sounds be themselves rather than vehicles for man-made theories or expression of human sentiments.
John CageWhen I've found that what I'm doing has become pleasing, even to one person, I have redoubled my efforts to find the next step.
John Cage