Art! Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess?

In praise of Thy goodness I must confess that Thou didst try with all Thy means to draw me to Thee. Sometimes it pleased Thee to let me feel the heavy hand of Thy displeasure and to humiliate my proud heart by manifold castigations. Sickness and misfortune didst Thou send upon me to turn my thoughts to my errantries.-One thing, only, O Father, do I ask: cease not to labor for my betterment. In whatsoever manner it be, let me turn to Thee and become fruitful in good works.

He that divines the secret of my music is freed from the unhappiness that haunts the whole world of men.

No friend have I. I must live by myself alone; but I know well that God is nearer to me than others in my art, so I will walk fearlessly with Him.

This is not a brook [Bach means "brook" in German], it's an ocean.

I will seize fate by the throat; it shall certainly never wholly overcome me.

He who understand my music will remain free from the miseries that the other men are dragging with them .