Advice From Mozart: Don’t Worry What Others Think of You

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was a famous and prolific Classical composer. You’re almost certainly familiar with his music even if you don’t know it. For example:

While Mozart was truly an exceptional composer, his larger-than-life personality added an additional wrinkle to his character. The quotation below is excerpted from a letter of his to a close family member and reflects one of the Mozart’s most notable qualities. He cared not what others thought of him; he only cared that they thought of him.

“All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak — and speak in such a way that people will remember it.”

The takeaway here? When the time comes to step out, always ensure you leave an impression. Do not fear the critiques or judgments of others. True greatness will transcend a temporary evaluation.

Quote source: [via Wikiquote] Letter as published in The Letters of Mozart & His Family (1938) translated and edited by Emily Anderson, p. 1114.

Below, Big Think expert Leon Botstein explains why Mozart is and will always be awesome in a video lecture from the Floating University.