The Complete Church and Secular Cantatas
A source page for quotes linked to Johann Sebastian Bach.
“Ceaseless work, analysis, reflection, writing much, endless self-correction, that is my secret.”
“I was obliged to be industrious. Whoever is equally industrious will succeed equally well.”
“If I decide to be an idiot, then I'll be an idiot on my own accord.”
“Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul.”
“Where there is devotional music, God is always at hand with His gracious presence.”
“My masters are strange folk with very little care for music in them.”
“I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music.”
“I was made to work. If you are equally industrious, you will be equally successful.”
“Without my morning coffee I'm just like a dried up piece of roast goat.”
“Ah! How sweet coffee tastes! Lovelier than a thousand kisses, sweeter far than muscatel wine!”
“God's gift to his sorrowing creatures is a joy worthy of their destiny.”
“I worked hard. Anyone who works as hard as I did can achieve the same results.”
“On land, on sea, at home abroad, I smoke my pipe and worship God.”
“Music's only purpose should be for the glory of God and the recreation of the human spirit.”