Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness.
Martin LutherRead
Human reason is like a drunken man on horseback; set it up on one side, and it tumbles over on the other
Interpretation
What this quote means
Human reasoning is often unstable and can lead to contradictory conclusions.
This quote by Martin Luther illustrates the precariousness of human reasoning. It compares reason to a drunken man on horseback, suggesting that just as the drunkard is likely to fall over in either direction, human reasoning can easily be led astray or miss the mark due to biases, contradictions, or a lack of balance in thought. Luther underscores the need for humility and caution in our rational pursuits.
Themes
ReasonHuman NaturePhilosophyThinkingBalance
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate about ethics, I quoted this to remind everyone of the limits of human reason.
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.
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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.
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In a mouse we admire God's creation and craft work. The same may be said about flies.
Martin LutherRead
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