Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
Cannons and fire-arms are cruel and damnable machines; I believe them to have been the direct suggestion of the Devil. If Adam had seen in a vision the horrible instruments his children were to invent, he would have died of grief.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Martin Luther expresses his disdain for weapons, suggesting they are evil tools that cause great suffering.
This quote by Martin Luther reflects his deep moral objection to the invention and use of firearms and cannons, which he views as instruments of cruelty and violence. He emphasizes that such inventions are so horrific that if Adam, the biblical first man, had foreseen the devastation they would cause across generations, he would have been overwhelmed by despair. Luther's perspective raises questions about the morality of technological advancement in human history.
Themes
WeaponsViolenceMoralityInnovationSuffering
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on the implications of military technology, you might cite Luther's quote to emphasize the need for moral consideration in weapon development.
More from Martin Luther
All quotes →Now if I believe in God's Son and remember that He became man, all creatures will appear a hundred times more beautiful to me than before. Then I will properly appreciate the sun, the moon, the stars, trees, apples, as I reflect that he is Lord over all things. ...God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.
Martin LutherRead
It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that, by its soundness and wellbeing, he may be enabled to labour, and to acquire and preserve property, for the aid of those who are in want, that thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member, and we may be children of God, and busy for one another, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfiling the law of Christ.
Martin LutherRead
Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but more frequently than not struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.
Martin LutherRead
We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.
Martin LutherRead
In a mouse we admire God's creation and craft work. The same may be said about flies.
Martin LutherRead
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