Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
The dog is the most faithful of animals and would be much esteemed were it not so common. Our Lord God has made His greatest gifts the commonest.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the value of common things, particularly the loyalty of dogs, suggesting that familiarity can lead to undervaluation.
In this quote, Martin Luther reflects on the idea that the qualities we often overlook, like the unwavering loyalty of dogs, are among the greatest gifts bestowed upon us. He argues that because these qualities are common, they tend to be taken for granted, yet they deserve greater esteem and recognition for their significance in our lives. It's a reminder to appreciate the ordinary, which often contains extraordinary value.
Themes
DogLoyaltyFaithfulnessCommonAppreciation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for animal rights, one could quote this to highlight the importance of valuing all creatures.
More from Martin Luther
All quotes βNow 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
Similar quotes
God hath work to do in this world; and to desert it because of its difficulties and entanglements, is to cast off His authority. It is not enough that we be just, that we be righteous, and walk with God in holiness; but we must also serve our generation, as David did before he fell asleep. God hath a work to do; and not to help Him is to oppose Him.
John OwenRead
I have to confess that I had gambled on my soul and lost it with heroic insouciance and lightness of touch. The soul is so impalpable, so often useless, and sometimes such a nuisance, that I felt no more emotion on losing it than if, on a stroll, I had mislaid my visiting card.
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My primary process of perceiving is muscular and visual.
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The plain working truth is that it is not only good for people to be shocked occasionally, but absolutely necessary to the progress of society that they should be shocked pretty often.
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