I tell you before God, and as an honest man, your son (W A Mozart)is the greatest composer known to me by person and repute, he has taste and what is more the greatest skill in composition.
Joseph HaydnRead
Whenever I think of God I can only conceive of Him as a Being infinitely great and infinitely good. This last quality of the divine nature inspires me with such confidence and joy that I could have written even a miserere in tempo allegro.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the speaker's view of God as both powerful and benevolent, evoking feelings of joy and confidence.
Joseph Haydn reflects on his understanding of God, describing the divine as infinitely great and good. This perception of God’s goodness fills him with joy and confidence, suggesting that such profound faith can inspire positive emotions even in the face of sorrow, as indicated by the reference to writing a lament in a lively tempo.
Themes
GodGoodnessJoyConfidenceFaith
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on spirituality, this quote can illustrate the uplifting nature of belief in a benevolent divine.
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