"I may not be a first-rate composer, but I am a first-class second-rate composer"

This quote by Richard Strauss is a funny and self-deprecating method of revealing his own musical abilities. He is acknowledging that he might not be the best author, however he is still an extremely proficient one. He is indicating that although he might not be the most skilled author, he is still an extremely capable one. This quote is a testimony to Strauss' humbleness and his determination to accept his own limitations. It likewise speaks with his self-confidence in his own abilities, as he is not scared to admit that he is not the best, but still an excellent author. This quote is a reminder that even if we are not the very best at something, we can still be very good at it. We need to not be afraid to accept our own restrictions and make every effort to be the very best we can be.