Artists by definition innocent don't steal. But they do borrow without giving back.

— Ned Rorem

Classic means standard as opposed to Romantic: form before meaning as opposed to meaning before form. It grows from inside out while Romantic grows from outside in.

— Ned Rorem

Humor is the ability to see three sides to one coin.

— Ned Rorem

Inspiration could be called inhaling the memory of an act never experienced.

— Ned Rorem

Perfection is no more a requisite to art than to heroes.

— Ned Rorem

Sooner or later you've heard all your best friends have to say. Then comes the tolerance of real love.

— Ned Rorem

The art of translation lies less in knowing the other language than in knowing your own.

— Ned Rorem