The struggle lasted seven years, during which both sides hurled ugly slanders at each other. Ultimately, Beethoven won custody of the boy, though hardly his affection. Despite his extraordinary production of beautiful music, Beethoven was reclusive and often unhappy throughout his adult life. Irascible, absent-minded, greedy, and suspicious to the point of paranoia, Beethoven was at odds with his brothers, his publishers, his governesses, his pupils, and his patrons. In an illustrative incident, Beethoven attempted to break a chair over the head of Prince Lichnowsky, one of his closest friends and most loyal patrons. Another time he found himself on the threshold of Prince Lobkowitz's palace shouting for all to hear: "Lobkowitz is an ass!" And despite his tumultuous personal life, physical infirmity and complete deafness, he composed his greatest music - perhaps the greatest music ever composed - towards the end of his life, including "Symphony No. 9", the "String Quartet No. 14" and the Missa Solemnis.