We may daily discover crowds acquire sufficient wealth to buy gentility, but very few that possess the virtues which ennoble human nature, and (in the best sense of the word) constitute a gentleman.
I said to Mr. Pavarotti once. . . a marvelous man and a great artist. . . I said to him. . . "Maestro, I'm having trouble closing out a note so that it's almost as thin as a butter knife. . . finish it out quietly like that. " I said, "I have trouble doing that. What do you think I should do?" He said, "Justa close up your mouth. " That's all he said, and I fell on the floor. I thought he was gonna give me a dissertation.