Johann Sebastian Bach Quotations

I was obliged to be industrious. Whoever is equally industrious will succeed equally well.

Like all music, the figured bass should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the recreation of the soul; where this is not kept in mind there is no true music, but only an infernal clamour and ranting.

If I decide to be an idiot, then I'll be an idiot on my own accord.

Where there is devotional music, God is always at hand with His gracious presence.

The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.

I worked hard. Anyone who works as hard as I did can achieve the same results.

It's easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.

Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul.

My masters are strange folk with very little care for music in them.

Bring me coffee before I turn into a goat!

My present post amounts to about 700 thaler, and when there are rather more funerals than usual, the fees rise in proportion; but when a healthy wind blows, they fall accordingly...

On one of those rare occasions when Bach appraised his own life's work, he remarked: I worked hard.

What I have achieved by industry and practice, anyone else with tolerable natural gift and ability can also achieve.

I was a microscopic life-form, infinitely large, stumbled backstage of its playhouse, caught a nanosecond glance of its own reality and nearly vaporized in shock.

Ah! How sweet coffee tastes! Lovelier than a thousand kisses, sweeter far than muscatel wine!

Music's only purpose should be for the glory of God and the recreation of the human spirit.

I have always kept one end in view, namely ... to conduct a well-regulated church music to the honour of God.

God's gift to his sorrowing creatures is a joy worthy of their destiny.

You just have to press the right keys and the right pedals at the right time and the music plays itself.

A Composition on the Piano

The most stupendous miracle in all music.

On land, on sea, at home abroad, I smoke my pipe and worship God.

I was made to work. If you are equally industrious, you will be equally successful.

I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music.

It cannot remain unmentioned that so many poorly equipped boys, and boys who have no talent at all for music, have been accepted into the school to date that the quality of music has necessarily declined and deteriorated. And those who do bring a few precepts with them when they come to school are not ready to be used immediately.

Harmony is next to Godliness

I worked hard. Anyone who works as hard as I did can achieve the same results. The final aim and reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the refreshment of the spirit.

Old concept: Love is blind. Marriage is an eye opener. New concept: Love is not blind - it simply enables one to see things others fail to see.

Ceaseless work, analysis, reflection, writing much, endless self-correction, that is my secret.

It is the special province of music to move the heart.

Without my morning coffee I'm just like a dried up piece of roast goat.