Religion is so frequently a source of confusion in political life, and so frequently dangerous to democracy, precisely because it introduces absolutes into the realm of relative values.
Reinhold NiebuhrRead
Life is a battle between faith and reason in which each feeds upon the other, drawing sustenance from it and destroying it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the ongoing struggle between faith and reason, suggesting that they are interdependent and influence each other.
Reinhold Niebuhr's quote encapsulates the complex relationship between faith and reason, illustrating how these two elements interact within the human experience. It posits that faith can both nourish reason and be undermined by it, while rational thought may provide clarity to one's beliefs but could also challenge and weaken them. This continuous battle informs our understanding of the world and ourselves, emphasizing the delicate balance that one must maintain between belief and inquiry.
Themes
FaithReasonBattlePhilosophyBelief
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the role of faith in decision-making processes.
More from Reinhold Niebuhr
All quotes βThe tendency to claim God as an ally for our partisan value and ends is the source of all religious fanaticism.
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The mastery of nature is vainly believed to be an adequate substitute for self mastery.
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All you earnest young men out to save the world. . . please, have a laugh.
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Forgiveness is the final form of love.
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God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed.
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