Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
It is certainly true that reason is the most important and the highest rank among all things and, in comparison with other things of this life, the best and something divine. It is the inventor and mentor of all the arts, medicines, laws, and of whatever wisdom, power, virtue, and glory men possess in this life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the supremacy of reason as a guiding force in human life, highlighting its role in the development of arts and knowledge.
In this quote, Martin Luther asserts the fundamental importance of reason in shaping human experience and accomplishments. He considers reason to be divine and to hold the highest authority among all elements of life, suggesting that it is the source of all arts, medicine, law, wisdom, power, virtue, and glory. This reflects the belief that rational thought is essential for progress and understanding, underpinning the achievements of humanity.
Themes
ReasonWisdomKnowledgeArtHuman Experience
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to emphasize the value of critical thinking.
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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