Wise words on tempo from the master (Beethoven)

“My tempi are valid only for the first bars, as feeling and expression must have their own tempo”

“Why do they annoy me by asking for my tempi?  Either they are good musicians and ought to know how to play my music, or they are bad musicians and in that case my indications would be of no avail”

In other words, metronome markings are a guide, NOT a prescription!!!