I Was Obliged To Be Industrious

This remark is attributed to Bach and cited in Richard Stokes's J. S. Bach: The Complete Church and Secular Cantatas (2000). Bach produced an extraordinary output — over a thousand surviving compositions — while managing demanding positions at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig and elsewhere. The comment reflects his characteristically modest framing of his achievement: not innate genius but disciplined, sustained industry. He notably does not mention the immense natural talent that accompanied his work ethic.