It is sobering to consider that when Mozart was my age he had already been dead for a year.

Meaning of the quote

This quote means that when the person saying this quote was the same age as the famous composer Mozart, Mozart had already died for a whole year. It's a surprising and thoughtful statement that makes you think about how much Mozart accomplished in his lifetime, even though he died at a young age.

About Tom Lehrer

Tom Lehrer was an American musician, singer-songwriter, satirist, and mathematician who became popular in the 1950s and 1960s for his pithy and humorous songs. He often parodied popular musical forms and tackled social and political issues in his work, which has remained relevant long after their initial topical subjects.

More about the author

More quotes from Tom Lehrer

Think as you work, for in the final analysis, your worth to your company comes not only in solving problems, but also in anticipating them.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

Bad weather always looks worse through a window.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

Life is like a sewer… what you get out of it depends on what you put into it.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

On my income tax 1040 it says “Check this box if you are blind.” I wanted to put a check mark about three inches away.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

I know that there are people who do not love their fellow man, and I hate people like that!

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

I wish people who have trouble communicating would just shut up.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

It is a sobering thought that when Mozart was my age, he had been dead for two years.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

An actress must never lose her ego – without it she has no talent.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

If a person feels he can’t communicate, the least he can do is shut up about it.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

Be prepared, and be careful not to do your good deeds when there’s no one watching you.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

The Army has carried the American ideal to its logical conclusion. Not only do they prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, creed and color, but also on ability.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

I feel that if a person has problems communicating the very least he can do is to shut up.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

In my youth there were words you couldn’t say in front of a girl; now you can’t say ‘girl.’

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

It is sobering to consider that when Mozart was my age he had already been dead for a year.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

Counting in octal is just like counting in decimal, if you don’t use your .

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

Apart from that Mrs Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)

When you get to fifty-two food becomes more important than sex.

Tom Lehrer

American musician, satirist, and mathematician (born 1928)